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State Senator District E

Senate Majority Leader

Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter

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Issues affecting

your family, community and jobs.

October 31, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors,

Happy Halloween!

Photo: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, morning of Oct. 29. Snow removal in progress. The truck de-icing my plane ran out of fluid so they had to go refill. There had been many planes in line before us! Delays, but safe trip. It’s winter in Alaska.

I’m in Fairbanks this week at a Geologic Hydrogen Workshop at the UAF. I’ll share more about that in next week’s newsletter.

Items in this Newsletter:

· Alaska's Future is in Your Hands

· Chugach Electric Girdwood to Indian Rebuild

· Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project

· Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan Finalized

· Current Topics, Stuff I Found Interesting, Economy, Education, Politics, Healthcare

· Resource Values, Permanent Fund

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Past Newsletters

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“Alaska's Future is in Your Hands”

Who made that statement?

Hint: It was the same person who said, “To hell with politics; let’s do what’s right for Alaska.”

Both of those statements are true with all election opportunities. It may be even more important this election cycle.

In this election, you get to make your opinions heard very clearly about who serves your interests and makes policy for our state. That’s because you have access to a ranked choice voting system.

Alaska had open primaries from the Territorial days in 1947 to 2000. In 2001 the Legislature repealed the open primary in favor of closing the primaries. This put political parties in charge of who votes for which candidates.

But, in 2002, the Alaska Republican Party put an initiative on the ballot to establish Ranked Choice Voting.(Yes, read that again: In 2002, the Alaska Republican Party put an initiative on the ballot to establish Ranked Choice Voting.). That initiative failed to pass. So the political parties set changing, confusing rules about who voted in primaries for the next several years.

In 2020, Alaskans voted to put the control of the elections into the hands of voters. In closed or partially closed primaries, a small portion of the voters determine who gets to be on the general election ballot. If you aren’t registered as a Republican, nonpartisan or undeclared, you could not vote for any R candidate in the Primary.

More than 60% of Alaskans are not a Republican or Democrat. In many areas of the state, up to 80% of voters choose candidates across party lines. That means that those voters want to vote for a Republican for one office and a Democrat for another office. They want to vote for the person, not the party. This WOULD NOT BE allowed in partisan (CLOSED) primaries.

Our current system of nonpartisan primary (open primary where you can pick one from the whole list of people running) puts the election in your hands. No restrictions on cross party voting. You can vote for the person, not be restricted to one party.

The ranked choice voting empowers you to take part more fully in the general election. No longer can as few as 34% of the voters choose the winner. The winner has to get more than 50% of the total vote.

Those two quotes at the beginning of this section were statements made by our long-time U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican. Ted worked closely with all parties in the U.S. Senate, and Ted got stuff done for us. One of his closest friends was Senator Daniel Inouye, a Democrat from Hawaii.

Ted’s statements have great significance today. You will decide who most effectively represents your policy views. Through Ballot Measure 2, you will decide if you want YOUR CHOICES TO CONTINUE to be CLEARLY heard BY VOTING NO ON 2, or if you want to turn control of elections back over to the party loyalists and party state central committees to decide who is on the ballots.

“Alaska’s Future is in Your Hands.”

“To hell with politics; let’s do what’s right for Alaska.”

U.S. Senator Ted Stevens

Serving Alaska 1968-2009

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski again endorses Democratic Rep. Peltola. Alaska Beacon

Campaign to boost Native voting combats both apathy and logistical challenges. Alaska Beacon

Where your vote matters most. Axios

Act quickly on absentee ballots, U.S. Postal Service warns voters. Alaska Beacon

Politics in rural Alaska look different than anywhere else in the country. Daily Yonder

Ballot measure 2: Alaskans decide whether to become the first state to ditch ranked choice voting. Alaska Public Media

Ballot Measure 2 asks voters whether they want to make history again by becoming the first state to ditch ranked choice voting and go back to partisan primaries.

Chugach Electric Girdwood to Indian Transmission Line Rebuild

The video below shows the first phase of the The Girdwood to Indian Transmission Line Reconstruction Project that will replace 12 miles of transmission line between the Girdwood Substation and the Indian Substation. This transmission line was built 60 years ago, and the equipment is reaching the end of its service life. The Girdwood to Indian section is part of a larger ongoing project that began in 2004 to rebuild the transmission line from Anchorage to Cooper Landing and is necessary to continue providing safe, reliable power.

A presentation on projects currently being worked on is linked here, or the button below.

Presentation on Chugach Electric's Projects

Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project

Owned by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project has been a low-cost source of electricity for the Railbelt for more than 30 years. Located near Homer, Alaska, the 120-megawatt (MW) facility generates about 10 percent of the total annual power used by the Railbelt. As the largest hydroelectric facility in the state, it provides clean, affordable energy to more than 550,000 Alaskans from Homer to Fairbanks. The power generated at Bradley Lake averages about four cents per kilowatt hour, a significant savings over the cost of fossil fuel sources. It exemplifies the role hydropower plays in our state’s energy mix.

AEA is proud to unveil a new video that showcases the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project and its future potential.

Click here to view the video.

Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan Finalized

October 28, 2024/ANCHORAGE – Following months of collaboration and input from stakeholders across the state, the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS), and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (the Trust) are proud to announce the finalization of Strengthening the System II: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2029.

This five-year plan outlines ten focus areas, each accompanied by specific objectives and strategies aimed at addressing a broad spectrum of issues, including early childhood development and workforce expansion. Alaska Statute 47.30.660 mandates that the DOH, DFCS and the Trust, prepare, revise and amend a comprehensive plan for Alaska’s Integrated Mental Health Program. Under this statute, the plan's development is coordinated to include input from a diverse array of federal, state, regional, Tribal, local and private entities involved in mental health and behavioral health services. The collaborative effort reflects a commitment by all to improve outcomes for Alaskans, ensuring that mental health services are more accessible, and effective in meeting the unique needs of our communities, particularly those individuals that are most vulnerable.

The plan is meticulously crafted to meet the service needs of Trust beneficiaries – Alaskans affected by mental illnesses, intellectual and developmental disabilities, chronic alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, substance use disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.

“This comprehensive mental health plan represents a significant step forward,” said DOH Commissioner Heidi Hedberg. “By promoting mental health awareness, increasing access to services, and enhancing crisis support we are taking a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of all Alaskans."

“Through a comprehensive and collaborative effort, we are committed to improving outcomes for all Alaskans.” DFCS Commissioner Kim Kovol added, “By focusing on all the areas that impact the mental health system, we aim to make mental health services more accessible and effective. Our systems improvement approach will benefit the most vulnerable children, adults, and families in Alaska."

“Continuing the work of the previous 5-year plan, this plan reflects the vital collaboration between DOH, DFCS, and the Trust, as well as feedback from community members from across the state, that will help guide our efforts to improve health outcomes for Trust beneficiaries over the next 5 years,” said Brent Fisher, Chair of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Board of Trustees. “This is a thoughtful and comprehensive look at the needs of Trust beneficiaries and Alaskans across the lifespan, and how we as a state can improve and strengthen the systems of care serving them.”

By fostering collaboration and leveraging resources effectively, Alaska aims to set a benchmark for mental healthcare and behavioral services nationwide.

For more information about Strengthening the System II: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2029, please visit our website.

Current Topics

Arrival of new international cargo carriers in Anchorage celebrated by state officials. Alaska Beacon

Five additional air cargo companies have started operating this year at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, boosting an important sector of the economy in the state’s largest city, state officials said on Thursday. The five new operators, all of them international, boost the number of cargo carriers to 39, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Thirty-one, including the new arrivals, are international carriers, while eight are regional carriers, according to the department.

(My comment: This is really good news! More jobs!)

Stuff I Found Interesting

Kenai air show's Pumpkin Drop shows kids a gourd time. Alaska Public Media

Retirement Challenges

Pension raises for some retired Pennsylvania teachers and state workers move ahead in Legislature. AP News

A bill that would give pension increases to more than 60,000 retired school and government workers passed the Pennsylvania House by a comfortable margin on Tuesday, although opponents warned it would saddle taxpayers with a $1 billion bill.

An opportunity to address Americans' retirement savings crisis. Governing

Robin Delucia had to re-enter the workforce after initially retiring at 70 because she couldn’t live on her nest egg. And she’s not alone. Nearly a third of retirees are considering going back to work for the same reason: Their savings aren’t enough to cover their expenses. And what about Americans who are currently working and want to eventually retire? Many are struggling to save enough for the retirement they hope to have.

$50,000 hiring bonus for police officers in Seattle. Governing

The hiring bonus for experienced police officers if they join the Seattle Police Department, set earlier this month. The bump is an increase of $20,000 as the city continues to struggle with shortages.

Economy

Tourists cost the City of Ketchikan $8 million last year. KRBD

Oversupply mostly cleared out, but Alaska still needs Americans to eat more salmon. Wrangell Sentinel

Alaska births and deaths both declined in 2023, and population total held steady, state says. Alaska Beacon

Alaska’s population total remained almost unchanged in 2023 at 736,812, an increase of 304 from 2022, according to the Alaska Vital Statistics 2023 Annual Report. The state’s population has increased gradually over recent years, the report shows, despite more than a decade of net outmigration.

Education

ASD says remote learning days will be the norm moving forward. Alaska's News Source

Energy

Transmission upgrade for Sterling to Quartz Creek system moves ahead. Petroleum News

The transmission line, referred to as the SSQ line, is owned by AEA and forms part of a key transmission linkage between the Kenai Peninsula electrical system and the Anchorage region on the Alaska Railbelt. In particular, the line is used to transmit power from the Bradley Lake hydroelectric power generation system in the southern Kenai Peninsula to the central and northern sectors of the Railbelt electrical system.

Railbelt Transmission Organization is moving toward certification. Petroleum News

The newly forming Railbelt Transmission Organization has held the first meeting of its governance committee and is moving toward applying to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska for a certificate of public necessity and convenience by the end of the year, Curtis Thayer, executive director of the Alaska Energy Authority, told the AEA board on Oct. 22. On Oct. 7 the RCA had issued an order requiring the certificate application to be filed by Dec. 31.

(My comment: This unified transmission structure was first envisioned in the mid-1950s. The utilities could never agree. The Legislature stepped in this year and made modernization happen. This is the most significant step forward in decades.)

How tech giants could turn AI data centers into power grid allies. Axios

Politics

Michigan judge dismisses GOP lawsuit targeting overseas and military ballots. Michigan Advance

“Consistent with federal law, the Michigan Legislature made a policy choice to allow a small pool of individuals who accompany family members abroad to qualify as Michigan residents for the purpose of voting in Michigan because they are connected to Michigan through their spouse, parent, or someone serving a parental role,” wrote Patel. “Because the [Michigan State Election Officials] Manual language comports with the Michigan Constitution and statutes, there is no ground to invalidate it. Accordingly, the Court denies plaintiffs’ motion for summary disposition and grants defendants’ motion.”

Legislative efforts against 'forever chemicals' grow across nation. Governing

Legislative momentum against PFAS has surged this year, as at least 11 states enacted laws to restrict the use of “forever chemicals” in everyday consumer products or professional firefighting foam. The legislation includes bans on PFAS in apparel, cleaning products, cookware, and cosmetic and menstrual products.

(My comment: The Alaska legislature passed a bill to remove PFAS from firefighting foams, which was getting into community water supplies. Governor Dunleavy previously vetoed the bill but this year let it become law without his signature (He must not understand the health implications of PFAS). The Alaska law doesn’t address PFAS in other products, so ‘buyer beware’.)

False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions. Alaska Beacon

The false citations do point to how AI misinformation can influence state policy, however — especially if high-level state officials use the technology as a drafting shorthand that causes mistakes that end up in public documents and official resolutions.

Healthcare

Chronic disease report reflects some unhealthy habits among Alaskans. Alaska Beacon

Seven out of 10 Alaska adults are overweight or obese, and large percentages of adults in the state have chronic conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol that are linked to the leading causes of death, according to a new report released by the state Department of Health. The 2024 Alaska Chronic Disease Facts summary, published by the department’s Division of Public Health, also showed that 33% of Alaska high school students were overweight or obese.

Wary employers eye PBM changes. Axios

Employers worried about lawsuits from workers charging they're not spending their health care dollars wisely are increasingly casting a more critical eye on the middlemen that help manage their drug costs.

Alaska Oil Resource Values

Alaska North Slope crude oil price (10/30/24): $71.69

FY24 budget (beginning 7/1) is fully funded at a

forecast of $73/barrel of oil.

Price on 9/30/23: $87.99

Price on 9/30/22: $86.91

Price on 6/29/22: $116.84

Price on 3/08/22: $125.44

Price on 12/22/21: $75.55

ANS production (10/29/24): 468,838 bpd

Red Dog is producing 5% of the world's zinc. Mining News North

Teck Resources Ltd. July 23 reported that its Red Dog mine produced 427,200 metric tons (941.8 million pounds) of zinc over the first nine months of 2024, putting this high-grade operation in Northwest Alaska on pace to supply markets with around 569,300 metric tons (1.25 billion lb) of this critical metal this year.

Felix eyes 2025 Alaska antimony mine start. Mining News North

Felix Gold Ltd. Oct. 23 announced that it has taken several steps toward the goal of establishing a 5,000-metric-ton-per-year antimony mine on its Treasure Creek project about 12 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska, by the end of next year.

Norway's supposed Arctic seafloor treasures: What does the data show? Wilson Center

The Norwegian government, for its part, pitches the decision in the context of Norway’s history of responsible resources development and extraction, and asserts that the Norwegian Continental Shelf contains “metals and minerals that are crucial for the technology that surrounds us today – such as batteries, wind turbines, PCs and mobile phones,” according to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s website (formerly the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate). A January 2023 Directorate assessment of the region claims that the “resources in place are significant. For several of the metals, the mineral resources compare to many years of global production.” Media outlets have seized on this narrative, expounding on the “huge trove of metals, minerals, and rare earths” that the NOD has supposedly discovered and speculating that Norway could “help to break Russia and China’s rare earths stronghold”.

(My comment: I’m hearing more about seabed mining and hope to learn more about it.)

The early fallout from Treasury's mining move. Axios

New Treasury Department rules are a split decision for advocates of domestic extraction of minerals used in climate-friendly energy tech. Final "clean" manufacturing tax credit rules unveiled yesterday arrive as U.S. officials look to counter China's dominance of supply chains. One change after heavy lobbying extends credits to extraction that's part of processing projects. But it doesn't subsidize stand-alone mining. That's a benefit for vertically integrated projects. But it's "not a clear win" for domestic miners — especially because processors can use foreign supplies, TD Cowen analysts said in a note.

(My Comment: Most of our minerals go to China for refining. The minerals then become the possession of China, who may sell them back to the US for a very high price. Or China may ban the export of the refined mineral, which they are doing with the minerals needed for electronics.)

New era of too much oil. Axios

In a world where crucial resources — workers, electricity, housing and more — are in short supply, the globe is expected to have an abundance of at least one commodity: oil.