Feasibility of a LNG Pipeline in Alaska ENGL 212: Technical Writing William Columbus

OVERVIEW -INTRODUCTION -CRITERIA -METHODS -RESULTS -CONCLUSIONS -RECOMMENDATIONS

INTRODUCTION Examined the feasibility of building a Liquid Natural Gas Pipeline from the North Slope to Anchorage, because the state of Alaska is wasting billions of dollars in natural resources by not bringing natural gas, a byproduct from oil drilling, to market. Creating a LNG pipeline is one of the best ways to transport this natural resource from the North Slope to communities that have need of energy, as well as bringing in billions of dollars of revenue and jobs to the state of Alaska.

Criteria for Feasibility Do the economic benefits outweigh the financial cost of building a LNG pipeline? Does the project impact the environment negatively? How does the student sample population feel about the project?

Methods Began research into the financial cost of the pipeline by researching reports done by federal government agencies such as: – U.S. Energy Information Administration – U.S. Geological Survey – Office of the Federal Coordinator

Methods Researched whether a LNG pipeline would have an adverse environmental impact through reports by: – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – University of Michigan

Methods Polled student sample population with an online questionnaire to determine feelings towards the pipeline given different variables such as: – Job Production – Tax Reduction – Environmental Impact – State Financial Burdens

Research Results Initial Financial Cost – $45 Billion to build pipeline & infrastructure Estimated Field Size – 256 Trillion Cubic Feet Total estimated profit – $3,421,240,000,000

Results Environmental Impact – Minimal environmental detriment. Follows same route as current crude oil pipeline. – The added availability of LNG will increase use of LNG over other less clean burning fuels (coal, oil, diesel, etc.), actually helping emission levels in the state

Results The majority of the sample population supports a LNG pipeline and believes it will: – Improve Alaska’s economy – Might lower taxes – Won’t harm the environment

Conclusion It appears from the primary research questionnaire that the majority of the students polled would be in favor of a LNG pipeline being built in Alaska. From this sample population we can conclude that most Alaskans would also be in favor of implementing such a project.

Recommendations Recommendation is that the project be implemented immediately, so that Alaska and Alaskans can begin to harvest this vast unused natural resource, bringing billions in revenue into the state.