SusitnAKAlaska Public Notices, Explained
Archived Permit, license or application Public Notices

TAPS Renewal Application & Public Hearings

What is this notice about?

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to renew the state land lease for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) for another 30 years. The current lease expires on May 2, 2034. DNR will hold one online public hearing on October 13, 2026, and one in-person public hearing in Valdez on October 15, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

Under Alaska regulation 11 AAC 80.065, DNR must give public notice of the application. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company filed the application on September 2, 2026, under AS 38.35 (the Right-of-Way Leasing Act). It asks to renew the TAPS Right-of-Way (ROW) Lease, ADL 63574, and related rights. The current lease took effect May 2, 2004, and expires May 2, 2034.

What action is being taken?

DNR is reviewing the request to renew the TAPS Right-of-Way Lease, ADL 63574, for 30 years, the longest term the law allows. The request also covers related rights not included in the lease, such as access roads, airstrips and communication sites. These related rights fall under AS 38.05. The lease includes the beds of streams and rivers crossed by the pipeline that the State owns, claims or later acquires. TAPS is an 800-mile crude oil pipeline from Deadhorse to Valdez, and 580 miles of it are on State land. The route runs near the Dalton, Elliott and Richardson Highways and passes through or near Wiseman, Coldfoot, Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Glennallen, Copper Center and Valdez. DNR is holding public hearings on the application. The application is posted online, and paper copies are available from DNR for the cost of copying.

Who is involved: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC), the operator of TAPS and agent for its owners: Harvest Alaska LLC (49.1069%), ConocoPhillips Transportation Alaska Inc (29.6102%) and ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC (21.2829%).

How can the public respond?

Ways to respond

  • Testify at hearing Virtual public hearing, October 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d5f42e1-4d9b-4092-9f70-587bff68bd09@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38?source=email
  • Testify at hearing In-person public hearing, October 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Valdez Convention and Civic Center, 314 Clifton Dr., Valdez, Alaska 99686

What to include

The notice lists only the two public hearings as ways to take part. It does not describe a written comment period or a written comment deadline. You can read the application at http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/home/newsroom. Other TAPS documents are at https://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Library?Pipeline=Trans-Alaska%20Pipeline%20System. Paper copies are available from DNR for the cost of copying. Instructions for joining the online hearing are at https://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Services/Pipeline/Trans-Alaska%20Pipeline%20System. People with disabilities who need aids, services or changes to take part may call (907) 269-8411 TTY/TTD. Please call early enough for DNR to make arrangements.

Contact

Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas – State Pipeline Coordinator’s Section
spc.records@alaska.gov
(907) 269-8800
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501

Will there be public meetings?

  • Public hearing (virtual): Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Online
    Join during the hearing at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d5f42e1-4d9b-4092-9f70-587bff68bd09@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38?source=email. Connection information is at https://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Services/Pipeline/Trans-Alaska%20Pipeline%20System
  • Public hearing (in person): Thu, Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Valdez Convention and Civic Center, 314 Clifton Dr., Valdez, Alaska 99686

Key dates

  • Sep 2, 2026: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company filed the TAPS lease renewal application
  • Sep 9, 2026: Notice published
  • Oct 13, 2026: Virtual public hearing, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Oct 15, 2026: In-person public hearing in Valdez, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • May 2, 2034: Current TAPS Right-of-Way Lease expires

Original notice text

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF THE TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM, ADL 63574 AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), pursuant to 11 AAC 80.065, gives notice that on September 2, 2026, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC), agent for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) owner-companies, filed an application under the provisions of AS 38.35 (Right-of-Way Leasing Act) with the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources for renewal of the TAPS Right-of-Way (ROW) Lease, ADL 63574, and Associated Rights. Background The TAPS ROW Lease, ADL 63574, was originally granted on May 3, 1974. The Lease was renewed on November 26, 2002, took effect May 2, 2004 and expires on May 2, 2034. TAPS is an 800-mile, 48-inch diameter crude oil pipeline that runs north to south across Alaska from Deadhorse to Valdez. The Pipeline is located on State land for 580 miles. The pipe is elevated above ground for 420 miles and buried for 380 miles, with a workpad and drivelane adjacent to the pipe for the majority of the route, four operating pump stations, and 225 access roads. TAPS also includes the Fuel Gas Line, a 149-mile buried natural gas line from Pump Station 1 in Deadhorse to Pump Station 4 near Galbraith Lake. TAPS transports over 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the North Slope to the Valdez Marine Terminal (VMT), where it is loaded onto tankers for shipment to US markets. The VMT has storage facilities for over 6 million barrels of oil with loading berths to accommodate two tankers at once. TAPS is owned by Harvest Alaska LLC (49.1069%), ConocoPhillips Transportation Alaska Inc (29.6102%), and ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC (21.2829%). APSC operates TAPS and is the agent for the TAPS-owner companies. General Description of the Lands Involved The pipeline route is largely in the vicinity of the Dalton, Elliott, and Richardson Highways, and passes through or near Wiseman, Coldfoot, Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Glennallen, Copper Center, and Valdez. The TAPS ROW on State land is generally 100 feet wide. Associated Rights are generally located adjacent to or in proximity to the ROW. TAPS crosses various rivers which may or may not be within the definition of “navigable” in relation to State ownership of beds of navigable waters. APSC has applied for renewal of the TAPS ROW Lease, ADL 63574, under the provision of AS 38.35 which includes the beds of all streams and rivers crossed by the pipeline that are owned, claimed, or hereafter acquired by the State of Alaska. Summary of the Application The application requests renewal of the TAPS ROW Lease, ADL 63574, and Associated Rights not covered in the Lease, such as access roads, airstrips, and communication sites. The pipeline is authorized under AS 38.35 while Associated Rights are authorized under AS 38.05. APSC is seeking renewal of the Lease and Associated Rights for 30 years, the maximum term allowed by law. The application is available online at: http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/home/newsroom. TAPS documents can be found online at: https://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Library?Pipeline=Trans-Alaska%20Pipeline%20System. The public may obtain hard copies of the application and materials, at cost, from the DNR at the address below. Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas – State Pipeline Coordinator’s Section 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-8800 Email: spc.records@alaska.gov Public Hearing Schedule Virtual - October 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and can be accessed during the hearing using the following link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d5f42e1-4d9b-4092-9f70-587bff68bd09@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38?source=email Information on how to connect to the online public hearing is available at: https://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Services/Pipeline/Trans-Alaska%20Pipeline%20System In Person - October 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Valdez Convention and Civic Center, located at 314 Clifton Dr., Valdez, Alaska 99686. DNR complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to participate in this review may call (907) 269-8411 TTY/TTD. Please provide sufficient notice for DNR to accommodate your needs. DNR reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication. Publish: September 9, 2026

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.