The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is hoping to expand the borough’s representation on the board that advises on gas development in the state.
A resolution to formally request a seat on the Municipal Advisory Gas Project Review Board will be introduced at Tuesday’s assembly meeting.
The resolution will recommend Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander to the seat.
The MAGP board is comprised of 12 members, including one seat designated for the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor, or a designee. Should Gov. Dunleavy reconstitute the board, the resolution formally requests that a second seat for the borough is added as a way to represent borough cities.
“The impacts and benefits of the Alaska LNG project will be felt throughout the state, but particularly in communities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough which will see significant development and employment increases during construction, and for the life of the project’s operations,” the resolution said.
Gov. Sean Parnell created the MAGP board in 2014 with the purpose of creating a framework to evaluate the effects and issues that arise from the development of natural gas resources.
The board’s duties are reviewing and advising the governor on potential impacts and benefits of new infrastructure for natural gas development on communities and the state, according to a Jan. 24 memo from assembly President Wayne Ogle and assembly member Hal Smalley.
“Should the Alaska LNG project be built, there will be multiple and unique impacts to all municipalities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, in addition to the direct impacts to the borough of the proposed liquefaction and marine terminal in Nikiski,” the memo said.
City managers from across the borough met and agreed Ostrander would be best suited to sit on the MAGP board, according to the memo.
