By Alaska Legislative Digest

The first of a series of gas pipeline open caucuses in the state House of Representatives is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 30, with presentations by Gov. Sarah Palin’s gas pipeline negotiating team. House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, said presentations would follow next week by companies interested in an Alaska gas project. Harris said ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc., the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, and TransCanada Corp. have agreed to meet with legislators. ConocoPhillips has made a proposal for a pipeline outside a recent solicitation for proposals under the state’s Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, while the port authority’s proposal under AGIA was rejected. The port authority is asking for reconsideration, however. TransCanada’s application under AGIA was accepted by the state. Harris said two other companies that made applications under AGIA and were rejected — Sinopec ZPEB and AEnergia — were invited but had not yet agreed to make presentations.