Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/30/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 18-URGING SUPPORT FOR AKLNG
1:04:28 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18, Supporting the continued
development of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project;
recognizing the importance of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas
Project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and
national security; and urging the United States Congress,
President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas
Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary
actions to expedite the success of the Alaska Liquefied Natural
Gas Project.
1:04:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIA COSTELLO, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HJR 18. She explained that the resolution
affirms Alaska's strong support for the Alaska Liquefied Natural
Gas project (AKLNG) and urges Alaska's federal partners to help
move the project forward. She reviewed AKLNG's history and
pointed out recent progress in permitting, global interest, and
renewed momentum from the federal government as demonstrated by
the Executive Order titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary
Resource Potential." She emphasized that the AKLNG was not just
about Alaska but was also about American energy security and
America's place in the world. The resolution urges the
President, Congress, the Secretary of the Interior, and relevant
federal agencies to coordinate, remove unnecessary red tape, and
fully support the final approvals and financing that AKLNG
needs.
1:06:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, Alaska State Legislature, as co-
sponsor, spoke in support of HJR 18 and said the resolution was
very important for Alaska. He described why he supported the
amendment including that it upholds liquefied natural gas (LNG)
export approval by the federal government, private industry's
support, Japan's interest in the project, and that carbon
capture would be included in the plan. He pointed out that ADGC
had announced that Glenfarne would not need a previously
requested 20 million backstop from AGDC.
1:08:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that this resolution would help
Alaska in numerous ways including jobs for Alaskans, revenue for
the state, and energy security for every region in the state.
It would restore a sense of optimism in Alaska and its economy,
aid national security, and help the national balance of trade.
1:08:56 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened invited testimony on HJR 18.
1:09:07 PM
FRANK RICHARDS, President of the Alaska Gasline Development
Corporation (AGDC), testified in support of HJR 18. He
explained that AGDC was created by the Alaska State Legislature
and provided with broad powers and authorities to tackle the
Alaska LNG project. It was created as an independent
corporation with commercial and confidentiality powers to
insulate AGDC and enable it to conduct market-driven
transactions. In this role, they have been Alaska's
representative and developer for the LNG project. He explained
that in March of 2025, AGDC signed an agreement with Glenfarne,
a private developer and industry leader, and this agreement
meant that Alaska no longer had the financial obligation to
invest in in Alaska LNG. He stated that Alaska would receive
the benefits of the project without further investment but that
in the future there would be investment opportunities for Alaska
and Alaskan corporations. He described the market interest in
Alaska LNG, listing Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the
Philippines, Viet Nam, and other countries, saying that a non-
binding letter of intent had been signed with Taiwan. He read a
quote from the U.S. Treasury Secretary regarding the Alaska LNG
project. He stated that the President and his administration
have insisted that the Alaska LNG project be part of every U.S.
trade negotiation.
1:14:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that for private companies to
invest in building the gas pipeline, there would need to be
large scale buyer for the LNG exports and that such a buyer had
not materialized. He observed that the situation remained the
same as it had been for the last 50 years. He explained that
AGDC gave ownership of the assets of the project to Glenfarne,
but that in the future, Alaska could purchase up to 25 percent
through 8 Star Alaska. Under the structure of the deal, Alaska
would have to buy back the property that AGDC disposed of under
SB 38. He said he did not believe that Alaska would have
sufficient resources to do so.
1:16:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER explained that the letter would go to
congress and to the President and is about why it is so
important to the state of Alaska.
1:16:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO responded to Representative Field's
comments by reiterating the importance of the resolution.
1:17:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE stated that Enstar was about to raise
the heating bills in Anchorage by $100 a month. She expressed
her support for the resolution because it would give her
constituents hope that the LNG project would eventually lower
the cost of heating their homes.
1:18:23 PM
CO-CHAIR DIBERT pointed out that Fairbanks had some of the
highest energy costs in Alaska with roughly 16 percent of income
going to heating. She emphasized the importance of including a
spur line to Fairbanks from the gaslines.
1:19:29 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:19 p.m. to 1:21 p.m.
1:21:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved Conceptual Amendment 1 to remove the
words "billion in" on page 1, line 13, so it would read "create
thousands of high-paying jobs for state residents and generate
long-term state and local revenue?"
1:22:12 PM
The committee took an at-ease at 1:22 p.m.
1:22:30 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE reiterated the conceptual amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO explained that she was fine with the
amendment.
1:25:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ELAM objected.
1:25:50 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Hall,
Mears, Dibert, and Burke voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment
1 to HJR 18. Representatives Coulombe, Elam, Saddler, and
Rauscher voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 to
HJR 18 passed by a vote of 5-4.
1:27:13 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened public testimony on HJR 18
1:27:30 PM
LISA PARKER, Member, Soldotna City Council, spoke in support of
HJR 18, describing the benefits of the Alaska LNG project
including increased revenues, guaranteed supplies of gas, and
jobs for Alaskans and Alaska businesses. She encouraged
committee members to support HJR 18.
1:29:26 PM
WARREN CHRISTIAN, Board Chair, Alaska Gasline Development
Corporation, spoke in support HJR 18. He explained that he was
board chair of the AGDC as well as president of Doyon
Associated. He discussed the support for the LNG project
throughout the state. He pointed out that the resolution sends
a message that "we are open for business." He stated that there
were no other options on the table right now that would reduce
Alaska's energy costs and pointed out the gas issues in the Cook
Inlet. The project has the required permits, a lead developer,
and unprecedented bipartisan federal support. He explained the
project would create thousands of jobs, bring new industry to
Alaska, and support the mining industry and utilities. He
encouraged the committee to support HJR 18.
1:31:37 PM
MR. CHRISTIAN, in response to Representative Saddler's question,
explained that he spoke both for himself and AGDC. He referred
a question about an offtake to AGDC staff.
1:32:29 PM
MR. CHRISTIAN addressed a question posed by Representative
Fields regarding the process and potential costs of the offtake
spur line for Fairbanks. He explained that the complications
include the sizing of the pipeline, the long-term agreements of
the existing Fairbanks utility with North Slope LNG, and phasing
the pipeline over time.
1:34:21 PM
MIKE COONS, representing self, spoke in support of HJR 18. He
explained that President Trump is all about America first which
will also make Alaska great again. He blamed "eco terrorist"
groups, President Biden, and lawsuits for delays in oil and gas
projects including the LNG project. He spoke of possible
displacement of people, especially seniors, by the expansion of
the LNG plant in Nikiski. He also described the possibility of
data centers that could tap into the pipeline, spoke of
development not being impeded by government, and expressed
opposition to heavy taxes.
1:37:14 PM
KYLE KAISER, President and Founder, VIPER Transitions, spoke in
support of HJR 18. He explained he was working with
transitioning service members and veterans looking for homes and
work opportunities. He pointed out that veteran employment in
Alaska can be challenging, and the LNG project would provide
work for electricians, mechanics, crafts people, truck drivers,
and more. He explained that the project would help veterans
stay in the state, would attract people from out of state, and
would make Alaska a better place to live and work.
1:39:31 PM
TIM NAVARRE, representing self, spoke in support of HJR 18. He
described the past and present support for the Alaska LNG
project, calling the gas pipeline a "no-brainer." He reviewed
the costs of energy in the Mat-Su and said that Alaskans deserve
to have reliable, low cost energy, especially when it is on the
North Slope.
1:42:25 PM
DOUGLAS TANSY, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW), spoke in support of HJR 18. He
explained that he was speaking in his official capacity as
business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW) for Alaska as well as representing himself. He
described the energy issues in Fairbanks including affordability
and air quality. He explained that he supported HJR 18 because
it would provide for a different type of economy, good quality
jobs, and the opportunity for career development. In terms of
the economy, it would reduce the crushing effects of high
overhead rates for heat and power. He mentioned the reliance on
wood stove heating because of fuel costs and the effects that
has on air quality, pointing out that gas is a much cleaner
fuel.
1:45:25 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 18.
1:45:40 PM
CO-CHAIR DIBERT moved to report HJR 18 as amended, work order
34-LS0837\I out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal note.
1:45:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS objected. He explained, "There is a
difference between optimism and delusion, and I don't want the
Legislature to look delusional, seeming like we think this
project is about to happen."
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Elam, Coulombe,
Rauscher, Saddler, Hall, Mears, Dibert, and Burke voted in favor
of HJR 18 as amended. Representative Fields voted against it.
Therefore, HJR 18 was reported out of the House Resources
Standing Committee by a vote of 8-1.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 18 LOS Jeff Simerville 4.29_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| HJR 18- Letter of Opposition Susan A.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| HJR 18 Sponsor Statement ver. I 4.30.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| HJR 18 fiscal note ver I.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Skeet Black HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Pete Stokes HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Michael Coons HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Jim Plaquet HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Gary Swoffer HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Erik Gabrielson HJR 18 written testimony_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |
| Chris Humphry written testimony HJR 18_Redacted.pdf |
HRES 4/30/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 18 |