The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, July 11, edition that Enbridge is turning its eyes north to Alaska, entering talks with the state to build an $8-billion (U.S.) natural gas pipeline there if a competing project falters. The Globe's Shawn McCarthy writes that Enbrige and the state-owned Alaska Gas Development Corp. (AGDC) "are undertaking substantive and exclusive discussion" which would see Enbridge become the builder and operator for the 1,163-kilometre pipeline. It would carry natural gas from the North Slope to Fairbanks and other communities in Alaska. Enbridge says, "Assuming that the project meets all required milestones, receives the necessary commercial commitments, meets all regulatory requirements, and is selected as the state's preferred alternative, we anticipate the pipeline could begin service in 2020." However, Enbridge is in a queue behind TransCanada -- and its partners, Exxon Mobil, BP and ConocoPhillips -- which have been working with the state on a $65-billion plan to build a larger pipeline and natural gas liquefaction plant for LNG exports from Alaska to global markets.