Is Alaskas pipeline a long terror target?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The trans-Alaska pipeline looks like it would be an easy target for terrorists intent on destroying a valuable American asset, but those responsible for its safekeeping say looks can be deceiving. The 800-mile pipeline – which carries nearly 17 percent of domestic crude oil production – snakes north to south across Alaska, from the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez, where tankers are loaded for delivery to West Coast refineries. About half of the 48-inch diameter pipeline lies underground. The other half is visible – a huge silver cylinder that parallels two Alaska highways and sits nearly in the backyards of some Fairbanks homes. The Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., the company that operates the pipeline, even has a visitors center outside Fairbanks where tens of thousands of people have gone to get a close look at the pipeline. “You can walk right under it,” said Alyeska spokesman Mike Heatwole. Terrorism experts say pipelines in general are easy target
