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Gail Phillips has one main goal: "to ensure that the Pebble project is allowed to go through the permitting process."

Phillips, vice chairman of Truth About Pebble, a citizens organization supporting Pebble Mine, wants to spread the "right" word about the mining project, she said at Wednesday's Kenai Chamber of Commerce meeting.

"We're not fighting one way or the other for the project," she said. "We don't know if the project is going to work, but certainly they should be allowed to go through the (permit) process."

Phillips said she has been involved with natural resource projects in Alaska for more than 35 years and has never seen a pre-emptive attempt made to prevent a project from going through the permitting process.

"There will be a rigorous, multidisciplinary state and federal review process," Phillips said. "Pebble will assure an objective, scientific and public process."

An increase in jobs was among the many benefits for the Kenai Peninsula listed by Phillips. She estimated 2,000 jobs will be available for the first two to three years during construction of the mine and 1,000 jobs for the next 50 to 80 years during the mine's operation.

"The (jobs) will not only be for our generation and our children, but our children's children," she said.

"Pebble is making a definite commitment to the Alaska work force, and in so making that commitment, they are looking to put job centers on the peninsula and doing major training operations for those employees."

Phillips also discussed the economic benefits of the Pebble project. She said the borough will receive tens of millions of dollars in tax revenues from Pebble.

"There are a lot of benefits for the Kenai Peninsula," she said. "It's amazing what this could bring. I'm really excited about it."

Although still in the prepermit stage, about $220 million has been invested in the project, Phillips said, and another $140 million is estimated for this year.

The permitting process is expected to last at three years, she said.

Phillips expects the mining plan to be ready by the fall of next year.

"Just think of those jobs, think of the business opportunity, think of reducing costs of goods and services here," Phillips said. "That will have a major impact."

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.