Washington company exploring gas service in southeast Alaska

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – A Washington

state-based utility is looking to southeast Alaska for a launch of natural gas, which would primarily be delivered to

homes for heat and personal use.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports that Avista, a natural gas and hydropower utility based in Spokane, Washington, bought Juneau power company Alaska Electric, Light and Power last year for

$170 million. That purchase has paved the way for the utility to consider bringing natural gas to Alaska’s southeast region, which would begin in Juneau.

Avista official, Nolan Steiner, told last week’s Southeast Conference...