Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Golden Valley Electric Association may pursue trucking in North Slope natural gas as a means to getting a cheaper, cleaner burning fuel to generate power. The utility is among several major potential gas customers already working with the Alaska Gasline Port Authority on a similar project, but GVEA President and CEO Brian Newton says the electric coop is comparing the potential benefits of going it alone with those of teaming up with the Port Authority.
The voter created Port Authority’s gas trucking project is estimated to cost $250 million. Newton says GVEA may be able to do a project for less.
Golden Valley representatives are travelling to southern California to check out a natural gas trucking operation that uses a processing facility similar to one that would have to be built on the North Slope to liquefy gas for transport via tankers down the Dalton Highway. Newton says GVEA needs to see if the technology will work in Alaska.
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