Homer Alaska - Business

JUNEAU — An Alaska state senator said she wants an in-state natural gas pipeline, but as quickly as possible and sees giving responsibility of it to the Alaska Railroad Corp. as the way to do that.

Republican Sen. Lesil McGuire, of Anchorage, said people want to live, work and invest in areas where energy is affordable and reliable. She says that while the state is hoping to see a major gas pipeline project, which could run into Canada, come into fruition over the next decade, it cannot focus solely on that.

She's proposed legislation that would expand the Alaska Railroad's authority and direct it to pursue matters like permitting and financing of a so-called bullet line.

— Staff and wire reports