Puerto Rico ponders alternatives to gas pipeline

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor is studying alternatives to a natural gas pipeline proposal that has been widely opposed by islanders and environmentalists.

A committee appointed by Gov. Luis Fortuno to find alternative energy sources has rejected part of the original proposal calling for a massive pipeline to bisect Puerto Rico. The committee late Friday instead offered three alternatives to move natural gas from storage facilities on the south coast to plants in the north in a push to minimize the U.S. territory's oil dependence.

One alternative is to build a smaller pipeline along the island's north coast.

Puerto Rico relies on petroleum to generate nearly 70 percent of its power, and electric bills are about twice as expensive as those on the U.S. mainland.