DIANE BENSON ANALYZES ALASKA GAS PIPELINE

On April 9, 2008, Diane Benson sent a letter to the chief executives of BP and ConocoPhillips and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin outlining important policy proposals which must be taken into account in anticipation of construction of the Alaska Gas Pipeline. This letter was in response to BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. and ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.’s April 8, 2008 announcement regarding the start of construction of the Alaska Gas Pipeline. In keeping her pledge to supporters, Diane Benson urges BP, ConocoPhillips & Gov. Sarah Palin to meet with her to discuss several issues in regards to this project, inter alia:

1. Fiscal certainty, and who will ultimately pay for the pipeline, including Alaska state and federal proposals to provide subsidies and/or loan guarantees for the pipeline construction.
2. TransCanada’s AGIA license application and the impact of the BP/ConocoPhillips announcement on the pending TransCanada pipeline proposal;
3. The possibility of incorporating an Anchorage segment into both the TransCanada and BP/ConocoPhillips proposals (specifically, the construction of a pipeline extension from Tok to the greater Anchorage area, thereby ensuring cost-effective gas delivery for Alaska’s major population and industrial centers);
4. Compliance with all applicable international, federal and state laws and regulations and my proposals to ensure approval of all federal certifications in Congress and federal regulatory agencies;
5. Working with labor unions and Alaska’s small businesses to ensure that a substantial portion of benefits from the pipeline inure to Alaskans.

Diane Benson is open to discussing the Alaska Gas Pipeline with the press. A copy of the letter sent to the chief executives and to Gov. Sarah Palin is available on Diane Benson’s campaign website: www.bensonforcongress.com.

_______________________________________________________________________________
1. As Alaskans know, Diane Benson has been a staunch advocate of an all-Alaska pipeline throughout her career; nevertheless, in light of recent developments, there is still ample opportunity to achieve the common goal of ensuring that Alaskans benefit from the pipeline by receiving affordable natural gas.