June 19th, 2009

SENATOR
JOHNNY ELLIS

Working hard
Solving problems
Getting things done

716 W 4th Suite 500
Anchorage, AK 99501
907.269.0167
888.330.3704
fax 269.0172

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Contact Other Elected Officials:
Senator Mark Begich,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Governor Palin's Anchorage
office may be reached at
269-7450, or email her at
sarah.palin@alaska.gov
You can also visit the state
website at www.state.ak.us

LEGISLATORS FOCUS ON LOOMING SOUTHCENTRAL ENERGY SHORTAGE

Friends and Neighbors,

         Over the past two weeks, natural gas has been the big topic of conversation in the legislature.  Energy costs remain one of the largest issues Alaskans face, and we are committed to exploring every option to help families affordably heat their homes and businesses. 

Sen. Ellis listens to testimony about ways to increase natural gas production from the Cook Inlet basin.  Although there is an extensive supply, exploration and storage costs are driving down the amount that is deliverable to Anchorage consumers.

In-State Use of Gas

         First, we heard a presentation on the progress of an in-state gas pipeline (the ‘bullet’ line from the North Slope to Southcentral) from Harry Noah, Alaska’s In-State Gas Coordinator.  This was the first of a series of monthly updates.  That same afternoon, the Senate Resources Committee heard extended testimony from producers, explorers, shippers, and consumers of natural gas about ways to incentivize further production from the Cook Inlet basin – Anchorage’s primary source of fuel.

Potential Pipeline Progress

         The second big event was the announcement that ExxonMobil and TransCanada have agreed to work together on a pipeline project under the provisions of the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act.  While this is far from a guarantee that anything will be built, and there are still many significant obstacles to be overcome (including a debate over natural gas taxation, balancing the producer’s request for certainty with the State’s sovereign requirement to obtain a fair share for our resource), the partnership is a good sign for Alaska.  It increases the viability of the TransCanada project, and ups the level of competition going into next summer’s open season.  I eagerly await further news and discussion on this topic, and will keep you informed as the process moves along.

This week Sen. Ellis took part in the dedication of the Scotty Gomez Ice Rink at Airport Heights Elementary.  From L-R: Rep. Sharon Cissna (D-Anc.), Beekmin of the Anchorage Bucs, Midtown Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson, School Board member Kathleen Plunkett,  Sen. Ellis, Beth Nordlund and Teri Desy-Peters of the Anchorage Parks Foundation, and Dahlia and Carlos Gomez, Scotty’s parents. 

SUMMER GED PROGRAM

         Ninestar is providing summer GED and High School Completion courses at the AHFC Gateway Center (801 Karluk St.).  The courses are Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30 to 12:30 between July 7th and September 3rd.  If you know someone who could take advantage of this program, they can contact Barbara Taylor at 222-2925 or barbt@ninestar.org.

         Until next week,

        Senator Johnny Ellis