Alaska Democratic gubernatorial nominee unveils plan for individuals to invest in gas pipeline

Candidate says Alaskans should invest in gas line

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Democratic nominee for Alaska governor wants to give state residents the chance to invest in a proposed pipeline that could ship natural gas to the Lower 48 states.

Ethan Berkowitz announced Friday he’s proposing “Great Alaska Pipeline Inc.,” a private-public partnership that could invest in the multibillion dollar project.

Berkowitz says that offering individuals the chance to invest in a pipeline improves the likelihood of it being built.

Officials say a gas pipeline is important to Alaska’s future, because oil revenue has been keeping the state running but production is declining.

Berkowitz says residents could invest through their Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, the annual checks they get from interest on the state’s $34 billion petroleum- and investment-driven savings account.

Participation would be optional.