Salazar Statement on the Exxon Mobil/TransCanada Partnership to Construct Natural Gas Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar issued the following statement in response to today's announcement of a partnership between Exxon Mobil and TransCanada to build a pipeline that will facilitate the transport of North Slope natural gas to the continental U.S.:

“This is a significant step forward on a project very important to the President and the Department of the Interior as a way to get American energy to the lower 48. We recognize there are two very strong project proposals, both aiming toward a 2010 open season and both now supported by major gas producers that control vast proven reserves of North Slope gas. We look forward to working with all stakeholders involved with this project.”