While Alaskans wait for a decision on whether a 4-foot-diameter gas pipeline will be built between the North Slope and North American markets, Gov. Sean Parnell has pledged his ongoing commitment to studying a “Plan B” linking energy-hungry residents with their resource.

Two voter-created authorities are forging ahead on related plans of their own — in some cases tied to the success of the state-sanctioned Alaska Gasline Inducement Act project, and in other cases assuming failure.

The state has planted its full weight — and $500 million — behind a large-diameter pipeline proposed by TransCanada through the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. The Canadian pipeline building company plans to lay out expected tariffs and take bids on pipe capacity during an open season May 1 to July 31.

A separate project by major oil companies BP and ConocoPhillips, dubbed Denali, also plans an open season in 2010.

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