Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/25/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB176 | |
| SB180 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Board of Game | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): State Assessment Review Board | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Board of Fisheries | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 176 | ||
SB 180-LNG IMPORT FACILITIES
3:37:27 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 180
"An Act relating to the regulation of liquefied natural gas
import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska."
3:40:18 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said that SB 180 repeals AS 42.05.711(v). She
explained that this would return the authority to regulate the
import of liquified natural gas (LNG) to the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska (RCA). She stated that the legislature
repealed this authority during the previous legislative session.
She presented the sectional analysis for SB 180:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 180 (version A)
Sectional Analysis
Section 1: Repeals AS 42.05.711(v)
AS 42.05.711(v) a liquefied natural gas import
facility under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission is exempt from this chapter.
CHAIR GIESSEL explained that AS 42.05 addresses the RCA. She
said that SB 180 is necessary to ensure consumer protection. She
stated that RCA regulates the rates that energy utilities can
charge. SB 180 does not expand the jurisdiction of RCA to a
privately held import terminal; rather, it clarifies RCA
jurisdiction over certificated utilities' gas-supply contracts
from an LNG import terminal. SB 180 would treat those gas supply
contracts the same as supply contracts from any Cook Inlet
producer. She said that prior to the addition of AS 42.05.711(v)
(which gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
jurisdiction), RCA had the authority to regulate the import of
LNG. She clarified that FERC has authorization to regulate the
facilities, not the price of the commodity. Therefore, the
addition of AS 42.05.711(v) has created confusion.
3:40:37 PM
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced himself.
3:40:52 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN sought confirmation of his understanding that RCA
would not regulate LNG import facilities; however, RCA would
regulate the sale of LNG supplied through those import
facilities to energy utilities throughout the state.
3:41:25 PM
MR. HARBISON confirmed this understanding.
3:41:31 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL shared that RCA recently oversaw -and denied- a
request from Enstar Natural Gas (Enstar) that would have
increased the price on imported LNG. She emphasized that
consumer protection is the function of RCA. She explained that
FERC already has jurisdiction over the facilities and the
insertion of AS 42.05.711(v) at the end of the previous
legislative session created confusion about RCA's jurisdiction
over the cost of the commodity.
3:42:43 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked for confirmation that the legislature
approved this provision during the previous legislative session.
SENATOR GIESSEL confirmed this understanding.
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that he could not recall legislation that
dealt with this specific issue and surmised that it was part of
a broader package. He wondered why the legislature made the
change and asked for additional information.
3:43:20 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL explained that the Senate Finance Committee added
the provision to House Bill 50, which related to carbon
sequestration. She noted that the Senate Finance Committee did
not hold discussion on the provision.
3:43:56 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 180 in committee.