Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester are pushing legislation that would affirm the National Park Service’s authority to permit maintenance of a natural gas pipeline that parallels U.S. 2 on the southern boundary of Glacier National Park.

The 118-mile pipeline carries natural gas to about 25,000 consumers in the Flathead, crossing a small portion of the park.

The Montana Power Co. built the pipeline in 1962 with a special use permit granted in April of that year. The permit was renewed through 1990, but the National Park Service later determined it did not have the proper authority to renew permits for maintaining the pipeline.

The bill pursued by the Montana senators, both Democrats, will clear the way for the Park Service to grant permits for maintaining the pipeline and protecting energy supplies to the Flathead.

“This bill cuts through red tape to keep Kalispell homes heated while protecting one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” Tester said. “Responsible maintenance of the pipeline will prevent accidents and help keep Glacier National Park the ‘Crown of the Continent.’”

“This is a common sense bill to make sure Kalispell can continue getting the natural gas it needs the same way it has for the past 50 years,” Baucus said. “It’s a no-brainer.”