ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An old idea is being dusted off to convert North Slope natural gas into electricity, and then send it around the state by wires.

The Anchorage Daily News reports (http://is.gd/y8oSYi) a rural power utility and an Alaska Native corporation presented the idea to a group of lawmakers in Anchorage.

The idea was first broached by Arco Alaska decades ago.

The thought is electricity would provide cheaper heat, especially in rural and Interior Alaska where heating costs are prohibitive.

The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative will likely ask the Legislature for $2 million or $3 million for a study. That's an idea backed by Sens. Bill Wielechowski of Anchorage and Joe Thomas of Fairbanks, both Democrats.

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Information from: Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.adn.com