Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

March 8, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As our Anchorage school students begin spring break, we've had a busy week in Juneau working to address Cook Inlet energy, public education funding, and governor's executive orders.

Please read on for updates.

GRIP funding in the Capital Budget

Last fall, the Alaska Energy Authority received a $206 million grant from the Department of Energy to construct a subsea power transmission line between Anchorage and Kenai. The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) money comes as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed Congress with the strong support of all three members of the Alaska Delegation.

The construction of a second transmission line along the Kenai Peninsula portion of the Railbelt will help guarantee transmission of power in the event of an emergency shutdown along existing lines. The plan also calls for the installation of multiple Battery Energy Storage Systems, which will increase the capacity to produce and store affordable energy on the Railbelt.

Transmission upgrades are an important part of a diverse energy solution. As Cook Inlet natural gas supplies decline, new energy projects, including renewable energy, will become increasingly important to our energy security. Reliable transmission infrastructure ensures that those projects will be able to connect to the grid and provide energy anywhere it is needed along the Railbelt.

The GRIP funding comes with a requirement for state matching funds. It is critical that we appropriate the funds to match this federal grant and secure upgrades to our energy infrastructure.

Executive Orders

As we have discussed in previous newsletters, the deadline for the Legislature to disapprove of the governor's executive orders is March 16th. Next week, the House and Senate have scheduled a Joint Session to consider each of the 12 executive orders. Legislators have also asked the governor to withdraw some of the executive orders in advance of the Joint Session. To read more about the executive orders and the process for rejecting them, click here.

To disapprove of an executive order, a simple majority of the Legislature must vote in a Joint Session. The Joint Session to consider the executive orders will be held on Tuesday, March 12.

Constituent Survey: Deadline March 13

The deadline to take our constituent survey is March 13. Our survey focuses on the questions that face legislators each year, including which state services should receive priority. Funding prioritization is particularly important as the State continues to face financial challenges. The results of our survey will help inform us about legislation we decide to support and how to vote on key issues.

We hope you will take a moment to share your opinions. You can take the survey by clicking this link.

Community Information

Anchorage Delegation Legislative Town Hall

Anchorage area legislators will be hosting a town hall on Saturday, March 9th from 2-4 PM at UAA Cuddy Hall.

While I will be unable to attend due to legislative and family commitments, constituents in our district can still attend to engage with Representatives Armstrong and McKay.

Here’s a link to the Facebook page where the event will be streamed live. You can also submit online comments via this link.

Ted Stevens International Airport Public Comment on Community Outreach Plan

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is seeking public comments and modification recommendations to the Airport Community Outreach Plan, and request comments be submitted no later than May 15th, 2024. The Plan establishes guidelines for effective two-way communication between the Airport and the community. The plan can be found by clicking this link: Airport Community Outreach Plan.

Please submit comments to Ian RockMoore at ian.rockmoore@alaska.gov, or call at 266-2464. To view the public notice for the comment period, please click here. To ensure your comments are reviewed and considered prior to the finalizing the update, please submit no later than May 15, 2024.

Anchorage Municipal Elections

The Anchorage Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 2nd. Anchorage Elections are held by mail, with some options to vote in-person. The last day to register to vote in the election is Sunday, March 3rd.

To register to vote, visit this page. To change or update your voter registration, visit this page. For more information on election dates and candidates, visit this page.

Apply for the Permanent Fund Dividend by March 31st

The deadline to apply for the annual dividend is March 31st. For more information about filing your application and information office contacts, please click here.

You can apply online and check your application status at this page.

AARP Tax-Aide

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center (1300 E 19th Ave) on Mondays through April 15th to assist in filing taxes. No appointments. Walk in between 10 AM and 2 PM with your paperwork.