WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The future of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline is in limbo with the project's biggest proponent, Gov. Frank Murkowski, a lame duck.

The question to be answered now is whether he will force through his controversial proposal before leaving office in December and, if not, how his successor will mold the terms of the deal.

Murkowski lost his re-election bid for the Republican Party nomination to Sarah Palin Tuesday by more than a 30-percent margin.

Although the primary vote wasn't solely a referendum on the pipeline -- Murkowski irked many during his four-year term -- Palin and Tony Knowles, the Democrat Party nominee, weren't quiet about it.

Murkowski's $25 billion pipeline, which would send gas through Canada and into the lower 48 states, would be 20 percent state-owned, with the remaining 80 percent controlled by BP, Conoco Phillips and Exxon Mobil. (NYSE:OM)