Legislature(2015 - 2016)BARNES 124
03/13/2015 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB105 | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska Oil and Gas Competitiveness Review Board Update | |
| State of Alaska, Alaska Lng Project, 3rd Party Cost Forecast by Department of Natural Resources | |
| Asap Project Reconfiguration Plan by Alaska Gasline Development Corporation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
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.