Palmer Mayor DeLena Johnson wrote an op-ed in the Frontiersman, urging legislators NOT to override the Governor’s veto on HB132. She says that bill is not good for economic development, that it would silence discussion, and would tie Alaska’s hands in further negotiations with the big oil and gas producers. She’s thinking of Matsu’s larger interests and the potential line that could go to Port Mackenzie.
Speaker Mike Chenault’s House Bill 132 directly and severely binds the future financial and economic growth of the Mat-Su Valley. In particular, it limits the expansion and investment opportunities for Port Mackenzie, as well as all other related economic development that a gas line will bring to the Valley. The Mat-Su Delegation fell in line with the caucus that voted for and passed HB 132. Gov. Bill Walker has promised to veto HB 132 and I urge the Valley Delegation to defend their communities and not override the governor’s veto.
HB 132 also removes any leverage that Alaska has in the AKLNG negotiation. What influence can Alaska have if all the other big oil parties know that Alaska has no option but to agree to their terms? How can we negotiate, in the best interest of Alaska, when we are bound to accept whatever scraps we are given? This bill impacts the Mat-Su Valley directly. The current route for the gas pipeline proposed by the other three oil companies bypasses Port MacKenzie by 60 miles. The governor has said he will advocate for the Mat-Su to bring the gas to Port MacKenzie, but HB 132 eliminates his ability to have any influence over AKLNG project structure or design.
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