Sen. Murkowski Presses Japan on Alaska LNG Exports

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) continued efforts to develop new markets for Alaska’s 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas on the North Slope by raising the potential of providing a long-term supply to Japan. Murkowski discussed the idea with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda at a dinner hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said a press release..

Having reduced reliance on nuclear energy, Japan is now looking at switching to imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power the country, but prices of available LNG are roughly five times higher than U.S consumers are paying, said the release. An LNG line from the North Slope could deliver long-term, stable energy supplies to Japan at a reasonable price. Such a project would be a win-win, both in terms of energy security and environmental policy for Alaska and Japan, said Murkowski

Murkowski’s conversation with Prime Minister Noda follows a series of meetings she helped lead last week in Washington, D.C., with members of Japan’s Parliament. Murkowski, who is the vice-chair of the U.S. Japan Interparliamentary Group, discussed the benefits of Alaska natural gas to Japan with members of the Diet. Murkowski is scheduled to meet the acting secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan to discuss the benefits Alaska’s North Slope natural gas could provide Japan.