HB 105-AIDEA: BONDS;PROGRAMS;LOANS;LNG PROJECT  1:01:59 PM CO-CHAIR NAGEAK announced that the first order of business is HOUSE BILL NO. 105, "An Act relating to the programs and bonds of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; related to the financing authorization through the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority of a liquefied natural gas production plant and natural gas energy projects and distribution systems in the state; amending and repealing bond authorizations granted to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee was CSHB 105(ENE).] 1:02:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER stated he would like to bring up HB 105 because the committee and co-chairs had requested amendments for this bill by noon today. While the bill itself is simple, he said, this deadline is difficult because he does not yet know enough about the specifics of the project being taken by Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and what its alternative plans are. Prior to the committee taking amendments or reporting the bill, he said he would like an opportunity to hear more from AIDEA and the other entities participating in that new project. CO-CHAIR TALERICO submitted that the committee was looking for more of a plan for the project and more needed to be heard from other participants and entities. He suggested that more information be provided by the utilities involved as well as others. Given that well over $200 million would be required for this project, he maintained that more information is needed by committee members. REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked whether the co-chairs have a schedule in mind. CO-CHAIR NAGEAK replied he would like to hear what the other committee members have to say. 1:05:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON offered his concern about the pace and said he would like to get more information because he does not know what the problem is, much less how to fix it. He therefore stated that additional time is needed. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON related that about two months ago AIDEA launched a $750,000 study on all the alternatives of getting energy relief to Fairbanks. He suggested the committee have AIDEA share an update on this study. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that at the bill's previous hearing, he had questioned the presenter about whether it was limited to LNG. The presenter had thought that there was some way the wordings could be interpreted that that could be a small diameter pipeline as well going from Cook Inlet. Representative Seaton recalled that he had told the presenter he would like to see a legal opinion in this regard because that would be such a stretch "and whether the committee wants to have it cheaper energy for Interior Alaska if we are including or not including that portion ... in that analysis." Since he has not yet received an answer, he said he is hoping the committee will have more time to get the information from the Interior project. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said he, too, would like more information so he can make a better conclusion and decision. 1:07:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON recollected that at the previous hearing the committee asked for additional information on the port authority's gas offering of several years ago, but the committee only received the names of some of the companies and not much information. He said receiving more information in this regard would also be helpful. REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON shared the committee's desire for more information on the revised AIDEA plan. Given the crisis in the Interior, however, he offered his hope that something will be done this session with ample time for the other body to look at the bill as well. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER pointed out that a companion bill is currently being heard in the Senate. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON commented that in his eight years on this committee, the committee has always tried to send the cleanest bill forward that it can, even when there is a companion bill. He opined that the committee having inadequate information would be a disservice to the people in Fairbanks as well as to the rest of the state. 1:09:12 PM CO-CHAIR NAGEAK offered his belief that a bill will not move forward today. He agreed the committee needs to see a plan from the people who brought the bill forward. CO-CHAIR NAGEAK held over HB 105 after determining there was no objection to doing so. He directed committee staff to talk with AIDEA about a future presentation of the alternative studies.