(Juneau) - Today Senate President Ben Stevens (R - Anchorage) introduced an amendment to the Stranded Gas Act Amendments bill (SB 3002). Following legislative approval of the contract, the amendment calls for a statewide advisory vote to approve the proposed Alaska Stranded Gas Draft Fiscal Contract. The ballot measure would appear on the November General Election ballot.

"It is clear to me that election year politics have created a logjam in the legislature. If we can break the logjam and come to a decision, I believe it is appropriate to let the people decide if this contract is in the best interests of Alaska, I believe they will vote yes," said Sen. Stevens.

The advisory vote adds another step but makes the process more efficient. Sen. Stevens believes the project will be well served if Alaskans are given the opportunity to voice their opinion on the contract this fall.

Sen. Stevens says it is time to move forward with the proposed contract for several reasons:

• The contract creates thousands of new jobs before, during and after the construction phase of the project.
• Congress passed enabling legislation for a North Slope gas pipeline two years ago.
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies are ready to process an application to build the gasline.
• This application has come closer to any prior proposal to becoming a reality.
• America needs and expects Alaska's vast gas reserves to come to market to heat homes and power industry.

The amendment was introduced at today's meeting of the Senate Special Committee on Natural Gas Development. That committee is expected to take up the amendment next week.

The deadline for submitting ballot language to the Division of Elections for the November 7th General Election is August 18.

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