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The June special legislative session the governor called on natural gas pipeline issues will be in Juneau.

Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, said getting the governor's backing on the location of the session was important for the community.

"I'm glad to see it is in Juneau," Kerttula said. "That's what makes sense."

The last time Gov. Sarah Palin called a special session, she'd suggested having it on the road system, which she said would be more convenient for Alaskans who live there.

When she surveyed legislators, however, most chose Juneau instead.

Earlier in 2007, the Alaska Legislature had held a one-day special session on senior benefits in Anchorage, the first time since statehood that the Legislature had met outside Juneau.

Palin said that this time legislators had requested to meet in Juneau, but House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, disputed that.

"She didn't talk to me," he said.

Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said the governor based her location decision on conversations with legislators, but there had been no formal poll as had been done last fall.

"She's talked with lawmakers, and they've expressed their desire to have the special session in Juneau," Leighow said.

Senate President Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, said she had not been contacted either.

"I have no idea who she talked to," Green said.

Palin said she'll present her proposal to the Legislature the week of May 19, and then ask lawmakers to review it in a 30-day special session scheduled to convene June 3.

Before the Juneau session begins, Palin's natural gas pipeline team will provide briefings in Anchorage for legislators and the public on May 28, 29 and 30.

Leighow said the administration has not yet made any plans for the information presented at those briefings to be made public, but will look into some sort of teleconference capability.

If those briefings were made in Juneau, the Gavel-to-Gavel network could make them available statewide. Palin pipeline adviser Joe Balash dismissed Gavel-to-Gavel, saying that he and many other people don't have cable television at home.

"If we were to hold it in Juneau, only residents of Juneau could attend or watch those briefings, unless they had cable," he said.

• Contact Pat Forgey at 586-4816 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.