Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: In-State Gasline Report Released Plus New State Office Building Location Blog
This month, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation released their report on the proposed in-state gasline. While I am concerned for the residents of Anchorage and Fairbanks in their search for affordable energy, I don’t think this will bring them what they’re looking for, and could hurt our chances of getting the large gasline. In this newsletter, I’ll tell you why I’m so concerned.
I’ll also provide information about how to make comments on where the new state office building should be located.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.
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Note from Rep. Gara: In-State Gas: Expensive and Not Yet Time to Pull Plug on Potentially Cheaper, Better Options
Do you want to be bound, by contract, to pay natural gas prices that are double what is paid in the Lower 48 – for the next 20 or 30 years? How’s that for attracting business to Alaska? How’s that for your pocketbook? The folks who held the press conference on Tuesday didn’t mention any of that, did they? Unfortunately, the gasline debate has devolved into competing sound bites. Those pushing the project want you to think the lights will go out tomorrow if you don’t do what they propose. It’s bad policy to scare people into ill-advised projects. Frankly, the sound bites on all sides are pretty trite – because this issue is too difficult to discuss in accurate sound bites.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Alaska Coastal Zone Management Sunsets; Governor Budget Vetoes Released;
Thank you to everyone that attended our constituent meeting. We heard from many residents on numerous important issues. I apperciate all the feedback and if you weren’t able to make it to the meeting I welcome you to call, write, or visit my office at anytime.
We heard a variety of different issues and concerns from energy projects to air quality. The Govenor had just realeased his vetoes so we were able to have a discussion on what that means for Fairbanks. U.S. Senator Mark Begich called into the meeting to take questions on federal budget action and costal zone management.
Last Wednesday’s meeting was just the first of many we will have. If you live in the Denali Borough we will be headed your way soon.
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Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Coastal Management Program Ended, Plus: Juneau Fares Well in Budget Vetoes
At the end of an eventful week, there’s bad news and good news. First, the bad news. The special session that started on Monday this week ended with the House failing to pass an extension for the Alaska Coastal Management Program. The good news is that Juneau escaped relatively unscathed in the capital budget vetoes announced by the governor on Wednesday. More about both are discussed below.
Thanks for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Special Edition: Goods and Bads of Yesterday’s Budget Vetoes
I hate writing letters two days in a row. But important things have happened two days in a row.
I thought you’d like a rundown of the Governor’s veto decisions. First, let me say that I saw unjustified pork in some of the projects, and thought the budget was too big, so I voted against it. I voted against a $3.2 billion budget, because we have priority services and a need for savings. On the other hand, I can’t fault many of those who voted for the budget. It included some important energy projects to reduce energy costs – projects I defended publicly. It included home energy efficiency upgrade funds (which I voted for as an amendment), and some other priorities I helped get in the budget. So I’d say this: The budget, in my mind, was too big. I agree with the Governor there. But I would have chosen different projects to veto.
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