Energy, Marine Hwy, Permanent Fund & lots more!

Senate Majority Coalition Website

State Senator District E

Senate Majority Leader

Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter

UPDATES

Issues affecting

your family, community and jobs.

September 21, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The cool Fall and darkness makes us remember "energy" (light & heat).

Natural gas supply for SouthCentral is an issue - where does it come from in the near future of a couple years. Lots of concern about importing and yet a gas pipeline from the abundant North Slope supply is a decade in the future, if at all; no private sector funders have shown up to bail us out.

Our utilities and ENSTAR are leaning toward the import option. There's some support for restarting the LNG facility in Nikiski, converting it to import function. (It was our export facility for the 40 years that we exported LNG to Japan.) Others support a floating re-gas vessel offshore, which would be more temporary, in hopes that North Slope gas finally arrives in SouthCentral.

As more decision making occurs, I will fill you in on what I know.

Items in this Newsletter:

· Alaska Psychiatric Patients' Rights Report

· Alaska Marine Highway System Long Range Plan

· Launch Alaska Port of Alaska Tour

· APFC Funding

· Current Topics: Education, Economy, Minerals, Health Care, Politics

· Resource Values, Permanent Fund

· Alaska History

· A Restful Pause

Email me

Alaska Psychiatric Patients’ Rights Report

By Jane Conway

In 2021, the Legislature passed HB 172 that created the framework for Alaska’s mental health crisis services. Signed into law July 18, 2022, the bill increased access to behavioral health crisis services in less restrictive settings by adding an intermediate, sub-acute level of care, (crisis stabilization center) which allows individuals in behavioral health crisis avoid inpatient hospitalization. It also allows examinations under a notice of emergency detention and evaluations for civil commitment to occur in sub-acute mental health facilities, when appropriate.

So often it is law enforcement, EMS and hospital ERs that assist individuals having a behavioral health crisis, pulling them away from other critical public health and safety duties. Creating this intermediate system would better serve the patient and the system as a whole.

The bill also mandated a follow up report which will be mid-October 2023. The report was to focus on Alaska’s psychiatric patient rights. This report has been posted online here.

The report is open for public comment from Friday, September 15th – Friday, September 29th.

House Bill 172 To Increase In Psychiatric Patient Rights In Alaska. KSRM

House Bill (HB) 172 increased access to behavioral health crisis services in less restrictive settings by adding an intermediate, sub-acute level of care, which allows individuals in behavioral health crisis to divert from institutional settings.

Read the Press Release From DOH

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 AMHS Long-Range Plan, which sets out to guide the operation and management of AMHS fleet and terminal infrastructure for the next 20 years. The project is currently in Phase 2, during which we will work on developing recommendations to improve existing conditions and service levels.

We invite you to visit the LRP project page, which provides more information on project progress and schedule, as well as information on ways that you and other community members can get involved. With your engagement, we will be more successful in building an efficient, resilient, and connective service for all AMHS served communities.

As I know many constituents have expressed an interest in AMHS updates, see below for anyone interested in AMHS long-range planning efforts. You can receive updates directly using the GovDelivery subscription service for DOT&PF.

Showcasing Leadership in Clean Transportation at the Port of Alaska

This month, Launch Alaska hosted state legislators and energy leaders for a series of Clean Transportation Tours at the Port of Alaska.

Launch Alaska has been working closely with the Port to advance its modernization, resiliency, and decarbonization efforts, and we were excited to share this work with 20 government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders, including 11 legislators.

At Launch Alaska, we believe it is important that Alaska’s elected officials and policymakers understand that the Port of Alaska is critical infrastructure. And what better way to understand something than to see it firsthand. As Alaska’s primary inbound cargo facility, the Port supports local, statewide, national, and international economic interests. It is one of 18 Department of Defense-designated commercial strategic seaports and supports U.S. military missions across Alaska and around the world. The Port of Alaska’s operations are essential for timely disaster response and recovery throughout Southcentral Alaska and across the state, and it handles three-quarters of the fuel used at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the world’s third busiest air cargo hub.

Our host at the Port of Alaska and primary collaborator is the dynamic Jim Jager, the Port’s deputy director for programs and policy and facility security officer. Jim shared with tour attendees exciting upcoming projects at the Port to tour attendees, and also drove folks around the grounds by bus, pointing out earthquake stabilization efforts, the future site of a new solar farm, new dock infrastructure and even a beluga whale pod that was feeding right outside the dock. Highlighted during presentations were the Port of Alaska Modernization Program and the Port of Alaska Power Plan.

Read the rest of the article here.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation

-Funding your State Services-

I attend many community meetings and am commonly asked about the Alaska Permanent Fund and its management.

Click on the image above or here to view a short video explaining the investments that make the money, part of which makes up the annual Dividend.

Detailed information is on the APFC website and is continually being updated.

The Performance information is of particular interest.

The Permanent Fund is much more than a "dividend". This remarkable "sovereign wealth fund" is truly a fund for the future. It was created and maintained through the vision and sacrifice of previous 40+ years of Alaskans caring about the future. They made a non-renewable oil resource into a renewable one that supports ~33% of our State Budget.

Current Topics

Anchorage's costs for outside counsel rise amid city attorney shortage. Alaska Public Media

Anchorage is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on outside legal counsel due to a shortage of city attorneys. The city is struggling to hire attorneys because of competition from the state and private sector.

(My comment: The State has a severe shortage of public defense attorneys, with several offices declining to take new public defense cases. We have to fix the salary and pension issues at the core of this.)

Alaska's two biggest grocery chains to sell stores as part of merger. This business professor explains why. Alaska Public Media- Audio Report

“… Alaska is going to be one of the areas where, because it’s basically, you know, currently all Kroger and Albertsons, there’s a couple of Walmart Supercenters, you’ve got Costco to some extent as well. But, like, there’s really no easy alternative. And so the problems that this merger presents for the consumer are probably most acute in a place like Alaska. And I think that’s why they tried to basically take all of the Albertsons stuff in Alaska and say, “We’ll keep that as a separate competitor.”

Owner of Jewel Lake Tastee-Freez hangs up the scoop after 28 years. Alaska's News Source

After 28 years of serving up smiles and soft serve to the Anchorage community, longtime owner of Jewel Lake’s Tastee-Freez Rich Owens is hanging up the scoops for the final time. Owens and his nearly three decades of community support were celebrated with a send-off at Tastee-Freez, offering free cake and ice cream, as well as a chance to thank Owens.

Kaktovik captain landed the first whale of the season for the region. The Arctic Sounder

A Kaktovik captain landed a bowhead whale last week, the first one of the season for the whole North Slope region. Captain Sheldon Kiasik Brower and his Kiasik Crew of eight caught a 29-foot-long male bowhead whale last Wednesday.

Amazon's first Alaska sorting facility to open by 2024. Alaska Public Media

Amazon says its new sorting facility in Anchorage will launch before the new year. It’ll be the tech giant’s first sorting facility in Alaska.

Sure, Anchorage's summer was rainy, but the state as a whole stayed warm. Alaska Public Media

If you live in most of Alaska, this was a very warm summer. If you’re in Fairbanks, this was the third warmest summer on record. If you’re in Juneau, this was the fourth warmest summer on record. If you’re on the North Slope, many areas, this was the single, top warmest summer on record. And so, statewide, it ended up being the eighth warmest summer. And the little bubble of relatively cooler air was was fairly limited in scope across the state. It just happens to be that’s where half or more of the population of the state lives. Now, what kind of differentiates this summer more than other summers? It was a very cloudy summer.

(My comment: Notice no mention of the cold rainy Anchorage summer!)

Alaska DMV considers eliminating license plate stickers. Alaska Beacon

The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles is considering whether to eliminate the month and date registration stickers that adorn state license plates here. In a request for information published earlier this month, the division put out an open call for answers, asking about the pros and cons of the idea.

(My comment: The “more budget cuts” people will be pleased with this idea. But look what happened in Pennsylvania: the number of vehicles registered in the state plunged after the requirement was eliminated. We don’t have the police force to check every license plate and issue tickets. Our state troopers are understaffed; local community police are understaffed. Bottom line – This is a bad idea.)

Education

UAA offers affordable and convenient pathways that prepare students for the next step. Alaska Beacon

At UAA, we provide numerous academic programs designed to meet specific workforce needs in Anchorage and across Alaska. Many of our programs use stacked credentials, allowing anyone to earn certificates, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees over time without losing credits.

Economy

New power centers. Axios

Americans are getting older, and they're decamping to states like Florida, Idaho and South Carolina.

Making the most of competency-based hiring. Governing

Embracing skills-based hiring goes beyond merely removing degree requirements. States need to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes eliminating other barriers to work, re-evaluating education pathways, addressing public-benefits cliffs, improving transportation access and increasing the availability of affordable child care.

Study: Alaska is failing to keep most Alaska-born residents. Alaska Beacon

More than half of Alaskans born within the state have moved away, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. A state’s ability to retain native-born residents is an indicator of its economic health and attractiveness, and Alaska ranked near the bottom of the analysis conducted by University of North Florida professor Madeline Zavodny and two experts at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Alaska begins process of examining workers' pay for competitiveness. Alaska Beacon

An $800,000 contract will be issued Nov. 15, and the request calls for a final report to be delivered no later than June 30, 2024, the final day of the state fiscal year. That would allow any recommendations to be incorporated into the budget process for the following year.

During the spring legislative session, lawmakers heard extensive testimony about short-staffed state agencies and budgeted $1 million for the survey. Meanwhile, hiring woes have continued throughout the summer. As of Thursday, the executive branch had 15,650 positions, and 13,273 were filled; that’s 85.4%.

Alaska gains jobs during summer peak but is still below pre-pandemic figures. Alaska Beacon

“We’re not there yet, and the reasons are a little murky,” said Dan Robinson, an economist with the department, which publishes employment figures monthly.

Minerals

Usibelli Coal Mine Marks 1,000 Days Without a Lost-Time Incident. AK Biz Mag

“We are proud to celebrate 1,000 days without a lost time accident,” says UCM President Joe Usibelli Jr. “This achievement reflects our commitment to safety as a core value and the foundation of our company culture. Every team member is accountable for their safety and the safety of their fellow coal miners.”

Battery Recycling. Axios

Battery recycler Blue Whale Materials will build a processing plant in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to access lithium, cobalt and other materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. Blue Whale plans to turn spent lithium-ion batteries into a dry "Blacksand" product that includes cobalt, nickel, and lithium.Here comes the next U.S. battery materials plant.

(My Comment: Cost will be interesting.)

Politics

Why Polarization in Wisconsin Is "Uniquely Severe". Governing

Many states have polarized politics, but few if any can match Wisconsin. The state is narrowly divided. The last two presidential contests have been decided by less than a single percentage point. Last year, Evers won re-election with 51.1 percent of the vote, while Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson won a third term with 50.4 percent.

(My comment: I work hard to prevent Alaska from becoming this dysfunctional.)

Why Is There Secession Talk in Eastern Oregon? Governing

Secession is a long shot that would require approval by Congress; so far, there have been ballot measures, and there has been a lot of talk. But the fact that the movement has gotten even this far illustrates the growing tear in the American fabric.

House cancels transparency bill vote. Axios

House leaders on Monday canceled a planned vote on the first major health policy bill to reach the floor of either chamber this year amid questions about whether it had the two-thirds supermajority needed under a process usually reserved for noncontroversial legislation. The cancellation leaves in limbo transparency measures that apply to hospital prices and PBMs, as well as other priorities like community health center funding.

(My comment: You should care about PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers). Your health insurance company and their PBM can steer you toward pharmacies that make them more money. How is that possible? Because they own the pharmacy, too.)

Energy

AK Nuclear Energy Working Group: September Meeting. Watch via Zoom

The Alaska Nuclear Energy Working Group meets monthly via Zoom to discuss advances and challenges in this energy sector. Password: A5ZaCz$A

Fisheries

Southeast Alaska salmon season: fish were there, markets weren't. KRBD

Chum and pink runs were very strong but many processors slashed prices and stopped buying the fish early. They blamed a global glut of salmon.

Commentary: Feds sue Alaska for managing its own river. Alaska Beacon

The United States has challenged the State of Alaska on an issue that is at the heart of why Alaska became a state—management of its fisheries.

Alaska Board of Fisheries Announces the Online Availability of the Proposal Book for the 2023-2024 Meeting Cycle. ADF&G

The Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) announces its 2023-2024 Proposal Book is now available online. The board accepted 255 proposals for review during its Lower Cook Inlet, Kodiak, and Upper Cook Inlet areas finfish regulatory meetings. Proposals have been submitted by members of the public, local fish and game advisory committees, organizations, and the Department of Fish and Game. Proposals may be downloaded off the board’s website individually, in sections, or for entire meetings.

Health Care

It's time to fix food aid for Alaskans in need. ADN

In 2023, no Alaskan should go hungry. Food is one of the most basic, core needs that brings families together during dinner time, ensures a child has enough energy for the school day, and showcases the vibrancy of Alaska’s diverse cultures.

Alaska food pantries say need for food assistance continues to grow. Alaska's News Source

“This year, we have seen record need among our partners, many are reporting record months, record years.”

DNA Damage in Cooked Food - What this might mean for our health. NIST

When you eat plants or meat, you’re also eating a tiny amount of that plant or animal’s DNA. But what happens to that plant or animal DNA when you cook the food before eating it? To put it simply, when you cook food, especially at higher temperatures, a small portion of that food’s DNA becomes damaged. When damaged DNA enters a living organism, part of that damaged DNA can be incorporated into that organism’s genetic material. Think of it as sneaky intruder DNA.

Primary care kerfuffle. Axios

A Medicare effort to boost payments to primary care doctors and better coordinate care for patients with complex medical needs has set off a lobbying frenzy to forestall steep cuts specialists would face as a result.

(My comment: Medicare reimbursement to primary care clinicians is very inadequate. I have a resolution, asking that those reimbursements be updated to today’s costs. My resolution passed the Alaska Senate unanimously. The resolution sits, ignored, in the Alaska House.)

As Alaska works through post-pandemic Medicaid renewals, only about a third of people stay covered. Alaska Beacon

Over the last two months, 13,000 Alaskans have lost coverage for paperwork problems — enough that officials say they are sounding the alarm and the federal government has asked the state to pause dropping people for paperwork reasons because too many children may be losing coverage. Nearly 40% of the Medicaid recipients in Alaska are children.

(My comment: Be cautious about blaming our Dept of Health. All of our state departments are understaffed. The Dept of Health has been working with 1970s vintage computer systems. Why? – Budget cuts over the last 10 years. As citizens cry out for budget cuts and bigger dividends, important basic public services are pushed aside. The results are being felt now. Alaska doesn’t have a spending problem; we have a “priority” problem.)

Employer hardball. Axios

Employers frustrated that they haven't been getting the best deals on health care are using the data to demand better terms in discussions with insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Getting more aggressive about things like how drugs are listed on formularies or how rebates are shared has allowed a few companies to push down drug costs as much as 9%-10%.

Alaska Oil Resource Values

Alaska North Slope crude oil price (9/20/23): $96.64

FY24 budget (beginning 7/1) is fully funded at forecast $73/barrel oil.

Price on 9/30/23: $87.99

Price on 9/30/22: $86.91

Price on 6/29/22: $116.84

Price on 3/8/22: $125.44

Price on 12/22/21: $75.55

ANS production (9/20/23): 454,050 bpd

Midwest Hydrogen Hub Contends for $7B in Fed Funding. Governing

The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen is pitching its bid for a regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub as a way to clean up carbon-intensive industries like steelmaking and help make the country zero emission by 2050 as a way to combat climate change. The BP Whiting Refinery already uses hydrogen in the refining process to make gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other fuels. It could produce hydrogen commercial as a carbon-free energy alternative, such as to replace coke, a purified form of coal, in the Region's blast furnaces.

Sept. 20, 2023 Precious Metal Prices

Gold - $1942.26

Silver - $23.38

Platinum - $941.35

Palladium - $1310.81

Alaska Permanent Fund

Fund's total value Sept 20 is $77,406,500,000.

Website

July 31, 2023 Audited Values

The Principal total includes:

• $56.5 billion in permanent savings contributions

• $12.4 billion in unrealized gains