FAIRBANKS -- Fairbanks officials' pursuit of lower energy costs will take them to the Alaska Legislature this year.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://bit.ly/zJl6sN) reports Fairbanks officials will seek state funding for a natural gas distribution network.

Fairbanks Economic Development Corp. director Jim Dodson says it's crucial to learn more about how natural gas could be distributed locally.

State and local officials have been seeking ways to pipe or truck natural gas from the North Slope fields to provide lower energy costs in the area. However, Dodson says, even if natural gas suddenly appeared, the community would not be ready.

A draft of a feasibility study of a distribution system is due out at the end of the month.