Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
02/21/2012 10:15 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Southeast Integrated Resource Plan: Available Resources and Benefits of Wood-fired Boilers | |
| Presentation: International Trade Update, World Trade Center Alaska | |
| Presentation: Southeast Integrated Resource Plan: Available Resources and Benefits of Wood-fired Boilers | |
| Presentation: International Trade Update, World Trade Center Alaska | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INTERNATIONAL
TRADE AND TOURISM
February 21, 2012
10:25 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Chair
Representative Neal Foster
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Steve Thompson
Representative Berta Gardner
Representative Chris Tuck
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson, Vice Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bob Miller
Senator Linda Menard
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: SOUTHEAST INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN: AVAILABLE
RESOURCES AND BENEFITS OF WOOD-FIRED BOILERS
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: INTERNATIONAL TRADE UPDATE~ WORLD TRADE CENTER
ALASKA
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JIM STRANDBERG, Project Manager
Southeast Integrated Resource Plan
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave introductory remarks preceding the
presentation on the economics of biomass fuel within the context
of the Southeast Integrated Resource Plan.
DEVANY PLENTOVICH, Program Manager
Biomass in Combined Heat and Power
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Southeast Integrated Resource Plan - SEIRP Economic
Drivers for Biomass in SE Alaska."
TONY SLATONBARKER, PE
Program Manager
Alternative Energy and Sustainability
Coffman Engineers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Biomass Boiler Heating Systems," dated 2/21/12.
THOMAS DEERFIELD, Independent Biomass Energy Specialist
Dalson Energy, Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Biomass Energy Fundamentals," dated February, 2012.
DAVE STANCLIFF, Vice President
Tok Chamber of Commerce
Tok, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking on behalf of the Tok Chamber of
Commerce, gave comments on the biomass boiler at the Tok School.
GREG WOLF, Executive Director
World Trade Center Alaska (WTCAK)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Alaska's Place in the World: An Update on
International Trade," dated 2/21/12.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:25:22 AM
CHAIR BOB HERRON called the House Special Committee on Economic
Development, International Trade and Tourism meeting to order at
10:25 a.m. Representatives Herron, Keller, Tuck, and Thompson
were present at the call to order. Representatives Foster,
Gardner, and Joule arrived as the meeting was in progress.
Representative Miller and Senator Menard were also present.
^PRESENTATION: Southeast Integrated Resource Plan: Available
Resources and Benefits of Wood-fired Boilers
PRESENTATION: Southeast Integrated Resource Plan: Available
Resources and Benefits of Wood-fired Boilers
10:26:03 AM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be
the first of four speakers on biomass and the benefits of wood-
fired boilers.
10:26:31 AM
JIM STRANDBERG, Project Manager, Southeast Integrated Resource
Plan, Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED), introduced the
presentation on the economics of biomass as an alternative fuel
within the context of the Southeast Integrated Resource Plan
(SEIRP). Mr. Strandberg said SEIRP is an integrated analysis of
heating and electric power needs for Southeast Alaska. The
draft plan proposes the use of alternative energy to bring down
the cost of heating and to control the growth of electric demand
in Southeast Alaska, and is designed to serve as a foundation
for economic development and revitalization. The results could
apply to other parts of the state. He stressed that AEA and the
public are reviewing the draft document with the final report
expected in April.
10:29:08 AM
DEVANY PLENTOVICH, Program Manager, Biomass in Combined Heat and
Power, AEA, DCCED, stated the intent of the presentation is to
acquaint the committee with the economic drivers that led to the
recommendations for biomass in SEIRP. The current situation is
a trend toward residences - and many commercial establishments -
switching from fuel oil heat to electric space heating because
fuel oil prices are rising, and the cost of hydroelectric
(hydro) generated electricity has remained stable.
Unfortunately, the increase in demand for hydro generated
electricity has depleted reserve hydro to the point that
utilities are using diesel generation to supplement hydro during
the winter, which causes higher prices for everyone. To address
this issue, Black & Veatch, AEA's consultants on SEIRP,
developed recommendations. Ms. Plentovich discussed the
qualities of electricity, noting electricity is the only choice
for lighting, appliances, and motors, but that space heating can
also be generated by coal, fuel oil, natural gas, and biomass.
Black & Veatch's analysis indicated strong economic benefits for
biomass, especially considering that in Southeast Alaska, 75
percent of an average family's energy cost is for space heating.
From an economic standpoint, analysis revealed that the payback
of recent pellet heating conversions in Southeast is four to
seven years; for example, the Sealaska building conversion will
be about a four and one-half year payback, the Kake school - if
funded - will be about a six to seven year payback, and the U.S.
Coast Guard air station in Sitka - if converted - will be about
a five year payback. Although there is not a lot of experience
with pellets, AEA will continue to monitor the operation and
performance of these systems to ensure converting to pellet
heating is the right economic decision. The cost of importing
pellets from the Pacific Northwest is similar to the cost of
hydro, and up to one-half of the cost of diesel fuel. Further,
the maintenance and operation of pellet boilers are similar to
that of oil boilers. She pointed out there is an economic
development opportunity of manufacturing pellets locally from
sawmill waste or wood from the Healthy Forest Initiative, U.S.
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
10:33:16 AM
MS. PLENTOVICH said AEA studied the Black & Veatch analysis and
determined the potential impact of its recommendations over the
next five years on the three communities of Juneau, Angoon, and
Craig. Slide 4 displayed the impact on Angoon: In Angoon, the
average family now pays about $350 per month for space heating.
If SEIRP is fully implemented - including hydro and transmission
projects, energy efficiency, demand side management, and biomass
for heating - by 2016, the family's cost would be $183 per
month. If nothing is done, the family's cost increases to $426
per month. Slide 5 displayed the same analysis for Craig on
Prince of Wales (POW) Island: In Craig, the average family now
pays about $273 per month for space heating. If SEIRP is fully
implemented, in 2016, the family's cost would be about $183 per
month. If nothing is done, the family's cost increases to $417
per month. Slide 6 displayed the same analysis for Juneau: In
Juneau, the average family now pays about $225 per month. If
SEIRP is fully implemented, in 2016, the family's cost would be
$129 per month. If nothing is done, the family's cost increases
to $312 per month. She then compared the emissions of pellet
boilers to other fuels: lower dioxide and net greenhouse gases
than oil and propane; higher particulate matter and carbon
dioxide, although there have been improvements through two-stage
combustion and emissions controls. From maintenance experience
with Sealaska's boiler, she advised that five minutes per week
are required to check on the boiler, every two to three months a
drum of nontoxic ash is removed, and an annual inspection and
cleaning is conducted in the summer. Also, the favorable
economics of biomass in SEIRP are based on imported pellets;
however, if there were a large demand in Southeast, pellets
could be manufactured locally, as is soon to occur in North
Pole.
10:38:01 AM
CHAIR HERRON asked who manufactures pellets in Alaska.
MS. PLENTOVICH said there are small pellet facilities in
Ketchikan and Petersburg. A large manufacturer would produce
about 30,000 tons per year and would employ about 25 workers.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER clarified that the full implementation of
SEIRP is with imported pellets. He pointed out that wood chips
are less expensive.
MS. PLENTOVICH said correct. The SEIRP recommendations from
Black & Veatch are based on the cost of imported pellets;
local manufacturing is an opportunity for the future once there
is sufficient demand.
10:39:54 AM
MR. STRANDBERG added that "the approach was really designed to
give a conservative economic analysis of the pellet option." He
assured the committee there is a large market outside of the
U.S. for pellets. He restated the goal of bringing jobs to
Alaska with pellet manufacturing.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON asked whether there was a manufacturer
in Southcentral.
MS. PLENTOVICH understood the plant in North Pole is the first
of a large scale.
10:41:09 AM
CHAIR HERRON asked how much the transportation cost for pellets
is from the Pacific Northwest to Southeast.
MS. PLENTOVICH estimated pellets in the Pacific Northwest cost
about $150 per ton, but pellets in bulk cost about $250 per ton
in Southeast, thus 40 to 50 percent of the cost is
transportation.
CHAIR HERRON observed that Southeast has wood, and asked when
the region could manufacture pellets.
10:42:44 AM
MR. STRANDBERG said he was unsure because it depends on actions
taken by the region and the abilities of the private sector to
develop that sort of industry.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE asked whether access to the resource for
pellets is a problem.
MR. STRANDBERG said yes. That is a significant problem, and the
ability to harvest timber is a major issue in Southeast Alaska
and a key driver in the ability to develop local industries.
10:44:00 AM
TONY SLATONBARKER, PE, Program Manager, Alternative Energy and
Sustainability, Coffman Engineers, said his presentation would
be more specific about the installation and operation of pellet,
chip, and cord wood boiler systems, and noted that the variety
of systems means one is not limited to biomass energy production
because there is not a source of pellets. Slide 1 was a list of
the types of systems: residential or commercial; individual
facilities or central boilers with a distribution system; and
cord wood, hog fuel, pellets, or wood chips. One of the key
components of the systems is the fuel source and its quality -
pellets are very uniform and make the systems run better.
Access to fuel is also a factor; in fact, in Delta Junction
there is a proposal to grow and burn barley. Pellets must be
manufactured to certain specifications for boilers. Slides 4
through 8 displayed options for pellet and wood chip delivery
and storage systems.
10:47:47 AM
MR. SLATONBARKER explained slide 10 was a diagram of the layout
of the cord wood boilers at Thorne Bay, including a wood storage
facility and boiler rooms. Slide 11 was a photo of the layout
in Delta Greely with a large, separate building for the boiler
and for chip storage. Delivery methods from storage into the
boiler room were by auger or conveyor belt. Slide 14
illustrated a standard simple system of pellet delivery from a
silo to the boiler, and with ash deposited into the bottom.
Slide 15 illustrated Chiptec high tech controls similar to the
installation in Tok. The Chiptec controls monitor pumps, the
burn chamber, gasification, flow rates, temperatures, and fans.
Slide 17 pictured three boiler systems: gasification, which is
heated wood that produces gas and generates hot water or steam;
a prefabricated GARN unit; and a larger, chip wood system.
Further describing the systems, he said the process produces
flue gas from which particulates must be removed, and stacks are
usually 30 to 50 feet tall. Combustion in the boilers is above
85 percent so there is not a lot of ash. Ash can be put in a
landfill or used for farming. Slides 22 and 23 pictured the
outside and inside of the Delta Greely High School boiler and
storage building. Slides 24 and 25 pictured wood chips storage
options, such as an exterior silo, bins, and covered storage.
10:53:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON asked whether cord wood systems are more
labor intensive.
MR. SLATONBARKER indicated yes, the cord wood must be loaded
three to four times per day. They are also different in that
the GARN boiler has a large water tank that is heated by the
burning wood, and which then stores hot water for a matter of
hours. In further response to Representative Thompson, he said
he did not know how the cost of barley compared to the cost of
pellets.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether it is practical for a
homeowner with a fuel oil system to add a pellet heating system
and switch back and forth.
MR. SLATONBARKER advised that in a system piped with hot water a
pellet system could be installed side by side. In further
response to Representative Gardner, he said he was unsure of the
cost of such an installation.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON related his daughter's successful
experience with a pellet stove.
10:56:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled the installation of the wood chip
boiler in Tok served the dual purpose of providing biomass heat
and of clearing the land to protect the community from
wildfires. He noted SEIRP generated mixed feelings about the
biomass recommendation because Southeast has hydro, in addition
to wood, and future industry development was not included in the
plan. Previous testimony to the House Special Committee on
Energy informed him of the use of barley pellets in rural Alaska
and he expressed his interest in longer-ranging technology.
10:59:03 AM
THOMAS DEERFIELD, Independent Biomass Energy Specialist, Dalson
Energy, Inc., said his presentation would be an advocacy
presentation. The status quo for Alaska is 10,000 years of wood
energy and 60 years of fossil fuel energy in the form of a
"thermostat culture." Mr. Deerfield advised that fossil fuel
systems do not require local and rural jobs, and instead
maintain dependencies that are unsustainable. He opined fossil
fuel costs are going up and rural communities are completely
dependent on imported fossil fuels delivered to tank farms.
Conversely, biomass energy is about local fuels which create
local jobs and job training, and builds sustainable economies in
Bush, rural, and urban communities. However, building the
needed long-term, sustainable, and renewable fuel infrastructure
will take a long time, but the cost is reasonable when the cost
of oil is at $3 or $4 and up per gallon. He also pointed out
the benefit of wildfire risk reduction, comparing the cost of
$10,000 to $20,000 per acre to fight a fire, with $1,200 per
acre to thin and remove the small trees that are not suitable
for lumber. The benefits also include the economic localization
of jobs for harvesting, processing, and running the biomass
plant.
11:03:54 AM
MR. DEERFIELD displayed slide 3 which listed the categories of
scale for: cord wood, pellet, and wood chip systems. The
choice of system is dependent upon the size of the load; for
example, cord wood systems make a lot of sense for loads up to
500,000 British thermal units (Btu) per hour; small and large
commercial buildings are suited to pellet systems; and
industrial facilities and schools are suited for wood chip
systems. The choice is also dependent upon the kinds of biomass
available and local labor. As an aside he said, "It matters
less ... where the pellets come from as we get started." Slide
4 indicated trends in the Lower 48: Vermont and Montana have
directly subsidized successful wood chip or pellet systems for
schools, and there is some support for biomass heat in all of
the other states. In Canada, the Northwest Territories (NWT)
is using 12,000 tons per year of pellets due to its commitment
four years ago to support biofuels, and has reduced its
dependency on foreign oil fuel for heat by 70 percent. Yukon
Territory is following the NWT model. British Columbia produces
over 1 million tons of pellets per year - most of which go to
Sweden - from beetle-killed trees. Mr. Deerfield observed that
Alaska also has a source of pellets from beetle-killed trees in
the boreal forest. He advised that the European Union (EU) is
about 30 years ahead of the U.S. in recognizing that fossil
fuels are finite and renewable fuels are sustainable long-term.
The EU is using 10 million tons of pellets per year and expects
growth to 100 million tons per year.
11:07:31 AM
MR. DEERFIELD continued to slide 5, entitled, "Lessons Learned."
After five years of experience in Alaska, it has been learned
that wind power works well on the coast, but is intermittent,
and difficult to integrate with small diesel generation. Solar
power is also intermittent and seasonal in Alaska. Hydrokinetic
is pre-commercial, and small hydroelectric works really well but
is very expensive. He concluded that biomass is available here
and now, creates more local jobs, is low tech, and is
sustainable. Slide 6 listed biomass "rough" costs: pre-
feasibility studies to look at sites, $25,000; feasibility
studies, $50,000 to $500,000; high efficiency low emission
(HELE) cordwood systems are more expensive; residential pellet
system, $3,000 to $4,000; commercial pellet system, $20,000 to
$100,000; wood chip systems, $2,500,000 to $4,000,000. Cord
wood systems create jobs because the wood is manually processed
and fed, whereas pellet systems are automated and have lower
capital costs, although the fuel costs more. Wood chip systems
have lower costs for fuel, although the capital costs are
higher. In all cases, there is a lower cost per delivered Btu
than any other form of energy in Alaska, except for the nearby
natural gas in the Anchorage bowl.
11:10:04 AM
DAVE STANCLIFF, Vice President, Tok Chamber of Commerce,
informed the committee green, renewable energy is heating and
lighting the Tok School; in fact, in the first year of operation
the biomass-fired boiler has saved the school over $80,000, and
after the addition of a steam-powered turbine, the savings will
be over $200,000. He advised the state investment in the
project will be repaid in less than 10 years. Because the life
of the project is 25 years, and with the rising cost of fuel
oil, the conversion to woody biomass in Tok is a wise use of
public funds and forest resources. The project is also boosting
the private sector of the local economy by creating a fuel-
procurement industry, and reduces hazardous fuel, thereby saving
the state $20,000 per acre in firefighting expenses. Also, the
residents of the community are safer. Tok's local utility is in
the process of determining whether woody biomass is a viable
option for generating power on its local grid. Further, the
utility and the Division of Forestry, Department of Natural
Resources, are now looking at developing a long-term harvest
plan to augment the community action fire plan. Furthermore,
wood vendors and the utility's representative from Tok are
investigating best practices and the latest technology for fuel
harvest and optimal combined heat and power plant operations in
Europe. Mr. Stancliff related other examples of the use of wood
for heat and power in the U.S. and Europe. He concluded that
woody biomass "has opened the door for better forest management,
with more trees being planted and growing on otherwise fallow
land." Willow and aspen can be used as a rotational crop for
harvest by modified agricultural equipment. The Tok School is
an example of utilizing this system and leading the way in
forest research and management strategies to ensure woody
biomass improves the forest and wildlife habitat, reduces
pollution and carbon emissions, and reverses the economic
decline.
11:14:58 AM
^PRESENTATION: International Trade Update, World Trade Center
Alaska
PRESENTATION: International Trade Update, World Trade Center
Alaska
11:14:26 AM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the final order of business would be
a presentation by the executive director of World Trade Center
Alaska.
11:15:56 AM
GREG WOLF, Executive Director, World Trade Center Alaska
(WTCAK), provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Alaska's
Place in the World: An Update on International Trade," dated
2/21/12. He stated that international trade is a very big
business for Alaska. For the period from January through
October, 2011, annual worldwide exports from Alaska totaled $4.7
billion, which is an all-time record for the second year in a
row; in fact, by the end of the year exports exceeded $5
billion. Alaska's biggest export market is now China, a
position previously held by Japan. Exports now represent 10
percent of Alaska's Gross State Product (GSP) of $50 billion,
which is the sum of all goods and services produced in the
state. In addition, the income from exports represents new
money into the economy and thousands of direct and indirect jobs
throughout the state, resulting in a stronger, more diversified
economy insulated from "peaks and valleys." Even with its small
population, and without large manufacturing or agricultural
industries, Alaska ranks 37th among all states in exports.
11:19:01 AM
CHAIR HERRON handed the gavel to Representative Keller.
11:19:14 AM
MR. WOLF continued to explain why trade matters: Trade usually
includes the export of all commodities; however, the U.S.
Department of Commerce (DOC) does not report the export of
services such as engineering, construction, environmental
services, and architecture, which may account for over
$750,000,000. For example, there was one oil and gas services
company that reported $500 million in exported services.
Furthermore, in addition to contributing $5 billion to the
economy, exports account for another $2 billion in induced and
indirect economic benefits. Exports also allow companies in
Alaska to become larger through expanded markets and customer
bases; in fact, for some Alaska companies, their best bets for
growth are markets overseas or in the Lower 48. In response to
Representative Tuck, he confirmed that the above mentioned
company was incorporated in Alaska at the time of its report.
11:22:41 AM
MR. WOLF said a recent study by Northern Economics - an
Anchorage firm - reported that exports support nearly 15,000
direct, and 9,800 indirect and induced, jobs in Alaska. Export
jobs are higher paying jobs and typically pay 13 to 16 percent
more than jobs tied solely to the domestic economy. According
to DOC there are approximately 340 companies exporting from
locations in Alaska. Mr. Wolf displayed slide 4 which was a
graph indicating Alaska's top export commodities are as follows:
seafood - 47 percent, which is the state's largest single export
item; minerals - 35 percent, the second largest commodity
comprised primarily of zinc and lead; energy - 6 percent,
consisting of liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, and refined
fuel; precious metals - 5 percent; forest products - 2 percent;
and fish meal - 1 percent.
11:26:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled in the '80s, the legislature
attempted to ensure the value-added manufacture of forest
products before their export. He said it would be helpful to
compare imports and exports with the intent to decrease the
amount of raw materials exported, except for seafood.
MR. WOLF explained that it is difficult to get accurate import
information because many goods destined for Alaska first enter
the country in California or Washington. He opined the state
has a trade surplus with some countries, but it is not reported.
Slide 5 displayed Alaska's export markets: China - 28 percent,
which is the first time since statehood that the greatest export
market has not been Japan; Japan - 20 percent; Korea - 12
percent; Canada - 12 percent. Other markets, although
important, are smaller and specific to a type of item, for
example, exports to Switzerland are precious metals. Asia
accounts for almost 70 percent of Alaska's total exports because
Alaska has the resources Asia needs, is relatively nearby, and
is stable politically.
11:31:11 AM
MR. WOLF displayed slide 6, which was a graph of Alaska's
worldwide exports from 1994 to 2011. Beginning in 1994, exports
were at $2.5 billion, and values have increased with the
exception of times of recession in 1998, 2008, and 2009.
However, exports have recovered sharply and have risen to $5.2
billion in 2011. He pointed out that Alaska has the essential
commodities needed for economic development such as energy,
minerals, metals, and seafood. Also, emerging markets in China
and India are growing at a rate of 8 to 9 percent, and both
countries have enormous needs for natural resources and
infrastructure. He advised that if it were not for overseas
exports of seafood, coal, and metals, Alaska could not support
the industry it has. Slide 7 indicated the growth of exports to
China from $103 million in 2000, to an estimated $1.5 billion in
2011. This is a rate of unprecedented growth.
11:35:50 AM
MR. WOLF advised that there are three overarching trends that
are benefitting Alaska exports, noting that there is growth in
the consumer global "middle class" of people with more money to
spend. Also, a scarcity in resources is tied to population
growth and the rising expectations of people around the world.
Finally, the continuing decline of the U.S. dollar means goods
are more affordable to "non-dollar" buyers. Slide 9 was a graph
combining the demand for natural gas in China and India from
about 2 billion cubic feet per day in 1987 to 12 billion cubic
feet per day in 2009. Slide 10 was a diagram of landed prices
for LNG markets around the world showing that markets nearest
Alaska, such as Japan and Korea, have LNG prices in double-
digits. Turning to the subject of shale gas, Mr. Wolf said that
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has made multi-
billion dollar investments in shale gas leases in the Lower 48.
Another state-owned corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation
(SINOPEC), invested significantly in a partnership with Devon
Energy. He opined these investments are driven by the desire to
learn natural gas technology for future opportunities in China.
11:40:02 AM
MR. WOLF said WTCAK works with the private sector and community
partners utilizing its "Boots on the Ground" strategy, and has
led trade missions to a variety of countries so that Alaskans
can see and experience first-hand overseas markets for better
understanding, and to make business contacts. There is also
great value in including government and elected officials on
these missions, as some companies and corporations are partially
or totally state-owned. Mr. Wolf then described four country-
focused trade development programs: Japan Focus; China Calling;
Canada Opportunities Next Door; and Korea Connection. A fifth
focus is New Markets, New Customers, which applies to emerging
markets in India, Singapore, and others. Finally, he listed
WTCAK's three long-term strategic partners: the State of
Alaska; the University of Alaska; and the U.S. Commercial
Service, U.S. Department of Commerce.
11:44:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON asked whether WTCAK has identified areas
and industries through which Alaska could market value-added
products.
MR. WOLF said yes, generally in response to companies that seek
help; for example, bottling freshwater to ship overseas.
11:46:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK expressed his interest in knowing what part
of final manufactured goods Alaska exports. Also, he suggested
that the state has the raw materials to manufacture desalination
plants for export. This would result in Alaska extracting
resources for its own benefit and manufacturing products for
export, rather than exporting resources to the rest of the
world.
MR. WOLF agreed that more value added to resources before they
are exported will capture a higher ultimate value.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK suggested a look at how Japan - with no
resources of its own - became a manufacturing giant.
11:49:15 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Economic Development, International Trade
and Tourism meeting was adjourned at 11:49 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| EDT - 2.21.12 Deerfield.pdf |
HEDT 2/21/2012 10:15:00 AM |
|
| EDT 2.21.12 - SEIRP- Biomass - AEA Plentovich & Strandberg.pdf |
HEDT 2/21/2012 10:15:00 AM |
|
| EDT 2-16-12 Biomass Presentation - Saltonbasker.pdf |
HEDT 2/21/2012 10:15:00 AM |
|
| WTCAK EDT - 2.21.12.pdf |
HEDT 2/21/2012 10:15:00 AM |