Interior Alaska Natural Gas Utility reports expansion, North Slope supply timeline

Interior Alaska Natural Gas Utility (IGU) representatives told the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Committee of the Whole on Jan. 16 that the utility installed more than 16 miles of mainline and 475 new service lines in the most recent construction season and is preparing for a switch to North Slope liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply.

The update, delivered by IGU board chair Steve Hagginson and an IGU representative, outlined grant funding that officials say enabled the expansion and described a February–March commissioning window for North Slope supply with facility start-up possibly in April.

IGU said the expansion is intended to give residents in high‑pollution areas the option to switch from dirtier heating fuels to natural gas, a change the utility and borough officials discussed as part of local air‑quality compliance efforts. “We have received $4,000,000 from the targeted air shed grant,” Hagginson said. He added IGU received a $2,500,000 state capital appropriation and a nearly $90,000 grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to improve emergency preparedness.

IGU reported installing about 16 miles of mainline and 475…