Representative
CHRIS TUCK

I want to hear from you, share your thoughts, voice your opinion. Together we will make a difference.

Click here to visit my Website
 
Click here to write me an email

Call me anytime:
   (907) 465-2095
   Toll-Free (866) 465-2095

Visit me:
   January-April
   State Capitol Bldg. Rm. 426
   Juneau, AK 99801
   (907) 465-3810 fax

   May-December
   716 W. 4th St., Ste. 370
   Anchorage, AK 99501
   (907) 269-0242 fax

Contact Other Elected Officials:

Governor Parnell,
Anchorage Office:
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Sean Parnell

Senator Mark Begich,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Creating and Protecting Alaskan Jobs

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As your Representative, I work hard to create meaningful jobs, boost our schools, improve our roads and neighborhoods — and build Alaska’s future. 

Progress continues on natural gas storage in Cook Inlet 

This year, we passed legislation creating tax incentives to speed the development of gas storage facilities, with the condition that all of these tax credits be passed through to consumers through lower rates.  Gas storage is an important part of ensuring that sufficient gas can be delivered to keep the lights on and homes warm during the winter.

Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska (CINGSA), which is a joint venture between Semco Energy and Mid-American, is already obtaining permits for the new storage facility.

According to current plans, the gas storage project will create roughly 200 construction and operational jobs for Alaskans.

Representatives Chris Tuck and Kyle Johansen (R-Ketchikan) and Senator Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage) take notes as Colleen Starring from Enstar speaks about how efforts to create Cook Inlet gas storage solutions are succeeding.

Here are more project details:

·  The storage is slated to be online by 2012. 

·  Enstar, Chugach Electric, and Municipal Light and Power all intend to buy storage capacity from CINGSA, to use summer natural gas production surpluses to buffer against higher winter natural gas demand.

·  The storage will use a mostly depleted reservoir which sits under the Kenai River, and the injection/ withdrawal wells will be onshore.  

During the Legislative session, we also passed provisions to spur more oil and gas development in Cook Inlet.  Our works appears to have already paid off with new gas field investments: 

·   Armstrong, an independent producer that has started producing gas near Anchor Point, recently announced plans to drill for oil in the Tyonek sands area abandoned by Standard Oil 45 years ago. 

·  Another independent, Miller Petroleum, has been buying abandoned wells and looking to restart production. 

·  Apache has also bought 60 abandoned Cook Inlet leases.

STANDING UP FOR ALASKAN PILOTS

I joined the House Transportation Committee meeting this Tuesday, to seek and explanation for hundreds of UPS pilot payoffs in Anchorage.  

Several of these furloughed pilots live in our area, and the layoffs are devastating to them and their families. In addition, our community can't lose that many high paying jobs without negative consequences.

At the hearing, I and other legislators strongly encouraged UPS to work together to save existing pilot jobs.  On behalf of our pilots, I circulated this legislative sign on letter, urging UPS to find ways to minimize harm to Alaskan families.

Representative Chris Tuck is caught by the camera just before the beginning of the packed-house hearing about impacts of UPS layoffs on Anchorage families and economy.

Air cargo is a vital part of Anchorage’s economy, and Anchorage is the second largest UPS pilot base.  Previously the pilots’ union had negotiated a program where pilots volunteered to give up pay and benefits in order to save jobs, and this program resulted in $117 million in guaranteed savings for UPS.  In February, UPS unilaterally cancelled this program and announced the lay-offs. 

While Alaska’s role in the bargaining process between Pilots Association and UPS is limited, I and other legislators are fighting to keep Anchorage jobs.

Thanks for keeping in touch!  I appreciate hearing your suggestions, questions, and concerns. 

Your opinion is important to me, and helps guide my work on behalf of District 29.

I’m here for you,

      Chris Tuck
      Alaska State Representative
      District 29 – Anchorage

Tuck’s Tips: 

COFFEE WITH CHRIS

I meet constituents for coffee every week, to catch up in a casual setting.

Please join me each Tuesday, at Café Vivachi, from 7:00-7:30 a.m. The café is on the corner of Dimond and King Street. 

I look forward to seeing you!  

NEW SENIOR CENTER TRAIL

A formal trail now connects the Anchorage Senior Center Trail with the Chester Creek Trail.  The six-foot-wide 1,000-foot-long gravel trail was completed in August.  It starts at the south exit of the center, located on East 19th Ave., and joins the Chester Creek Trail at the bridge located on the east end of 20th Ave.