Sen. John Torgerson State Capitol, Room 427 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2828 Fax: (907) 465-4779

Rep. Joe Green State Capitol, Room 403 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-4931 Fax: (907) 465-4316

Committee Contracts with Economics Firm
Fairbanks Consultants to Provide Research, Analysis Services

(JUNEAU) -- The Joint Committee on Natural Gas Pipelines has contracted with a Fairbanks-based economic research firm to provide professional economic services to the Legislature as it continues working to bring Alaska's North Slope natural gas reserves to market.

Sen. John Torgerson (R-Kasilof), committee chairman, said today the committee has contracted with Northern Economic Research Associates of Fairbanks to provide economic research, analysis and modeling services. The $168,000 contract runs from Jan. 7 to June 30.

"Natural gas represents an important new phase of Alaska's petroleum and petrochemical industry, and it is important that we have expert advice on how the state should proceed in pursuit of new opportunities," said Torgerson, who will serve as project director for the contract. "I am pleased that our search for the best talent in the nation led us back to an Alaska company, and I'm confident Northern Economic Research Associates will be a big help in the committee's work."

Northern will assist the committee on four specific natural gas projects: 1) construction of a natural gas pipeline through Canada to ship natural gas to North American markets; 2) construction of a natural gas pipeline through Alaska to Southcentral Alaska or Valdez for export as liquefied natural gas (LNG); 3) construction of natural gas pipelines within the state to service in-state needs; and 4) construction of a gas-to-liquids plant on the North Slope or other area within the state.

The contract's terms give the committee the benefit of both an on-site consultant and Northern's professional staff in Fairbanks. Dr. Douglas Reynolds, University of Alaska Fairbanks' oil and energy economics professor since 1997, will draw on his familiarity with oil and gas issues facing Alaska to work as a consultant in Juneau during the legislative session, along with an assistant. Other members of the Northern Economics Research Associates firm who will remain in Fairbanks include Dr. Robert Logan and Dr. H. Charles Sparks. A specialist in econometrics, Logan will provide expertise in the forecasting aspects of the projects. Sparks has extensive experience with discounting and evaluating future cash flow data.

"With the assistance of Northern's outstanding team, I am excited about continuing our work on the various economic models the Legislature needs to make responsible decisions about these important oil and gas projects," Torgerson said.

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