Exxon, TransCanada to meet with Alaska lawmakers

Representatives from Exxon Mobil Corp. and TransCanada will update Alaska lawmakers on their recent agreement to build a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope across Canada, feeding Midwestern markets.

Officials from the two companies will meet June 23 in a joint meeting with the Senate Resources and Energy committees at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office. A similar meeting is planned that morning before the joint House Resources and Energy committees.

Exxon Mobil announced last week it would join the effort by TransCanada, which holds an exclusive state license to build a pipeline to move natural gas to the American Midwest through Canada.

There is a competing pipeline venture called Denali, which is backed by oil companies BP PLC and ConocoPhillips.

Both Denali and Gov. Sarah Palin's gas line team have been invited to give project updates at Tuesday's Senate meeting.