JUNEAU, Alaska, March 10 (UPI) -- Washington is considering development of the natural resources in Alaska as part of the federal agenda, Alaskan state lawmaker said in Juneau.
Alaska native Pete Rouse, a senior adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, told Alaskan lawmakers during their trip to Washington that the Obama administration was supporting efforts to build a gas pipeline in their state, the Juneau (Alaska) Empire reports.
The discussions followed the nomination by a bipartisan panel of Alaskan lawmakers of legislative aide Larry Persily for a post as a federal coordinator for Alaskan gas pipeline efforts.
"Mr. Rouse said the president was planning to elevate the Alaska gas line coordinator's office effort into the executive office of the president once Mr. Persily is in place and is official," said Alaskan Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage.
Alaska is considering two pipeline projects to move natural gas to markets in the Lower 48.
State Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, said Washington should push for a consensus on the effort.
"Congress still considers the Alaska pipeline to be in the national interest," he said.
