(JUNEAU) – Rep. Vic Kohring, Chairman of the Legislature’s Oil & Gas Committee, complimented Governor Frank Murkowski this morning for the Governor's efforts on gas line negotiations with the state's three major producers, ConocoPhillips, BP Exploration and ExxonMobile. Kohring attended Murkowski's presentation to members of the Legislature yesterday evening at the Capitol to receive an update on the administration's efforts.

"Although not yet privy to the pending agreement's specifics, I came away with a strong impression that the negotiations, pertaining to financial arrangements, were going well, and that a final agreement may be forthcoming—perhaps by the end of summer or this fall," said Kohring. "It's clear the Governor has made the gas line a high priority and is intent on seeing the project come to fruition," he added.

Once an agreement is final, it will go to the Legislature for approval, likely during a special session. Kohring noted he has no problem with reconvening the Legislature for this purpose. "The gas line is so significant, so critical to Alaska's future, that I won't hesitate for a minute to return to Juneau to be a part of ratifying a contract that will result in the line being constructed," he said.

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