In-state Alaska pipeline is best

Ever been lied to? Ever told a lie? Well, the Voice of the Times in another paper told a number of whoppers in their editorial of Sept. 30. The biggest lie is that an Alaska gas line to Valdez would have no customers. Wrong. Two weeks ago, Frank Murkowski met with the president of Taiwan and tried to sell him coal that will only burn with the aid of a blow torch. Guess what? The governor was turned down; and, by golly, he also forgot to mention that Alaska has natural gas for export.

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The voice of VECO also ignores the fact that the price of gas in Anchorage will increase by 20 percent as of January 2006. Outside natural gas prices are projected to increase 60 to 70 percent in the coming months. No markets? I beg to differ. It also ignores the fact that the infrastructure for a gas line is already in place and permitting is virtually assured. Not so in Canada, where everything will have to be done from scratch.

Building a natural gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez will ensure the greatest benefits to all Alaskans. The most plausible way for Western Alaska to grow, and to even survive, would be to run a subsidiary line down the Yukon River to the coast.

It's time for Alaskans to realize that big oil and our current government are lying through their teeth, and that we Alaskans are the ones who will be stuck with the bill. Let your House and Senate representatives know that an in-state pipeline is our best deal, period.

Arthur Almon

Anchorage