Alaska Minerals Permitting Push
Federal officials said Alaska holds 95 percent of U.S. critical minerals but permitting timelines of 15 to 18 years block production needed for national security.
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Republicans won more first choices combined, but a third of Taylor's voters ranked no one else. On the count so far, that would edge Kreiss-Tomkins past 50%.
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Bipartisan coalitions named their picks to run the Alaska House and Senate next year. Voters are still finishing the part where they decide who's in them.

Peltola leads by 626, but backup choices would flip that to an estimated 340-vote Sullivan edge. About 75,000 ballots remain; early and absentee votes so far favored her.
Alaska Governor Dunleavy urged the state's 220-plus off-grid communities to adopt solar power paired with batteries and diesel backup to cut fuel costs as diesel prices rise for winter orders.
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Rep. Nick Begich cited a record $163 million Alaska oil lease sale as evidence that federal policy certainty drives energy investment, and called for faster permitting to unlock Alaska's oil, gas, and geothermal resources for national security.

Murkowski pressed FBI on Alaska's missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis, 229 missing with 75 percent Alaska Native. • FBI launching tribal lands operation with Starlink communications for investigations. • DEA opening two Canada offices, intercepted 10 kilos of fentanyl bound for Alaska. • Murkowski raised Alaska's need for federal detention facility, Marshals director agreed to review.
Interior Secretary Burgum urged Alaska to build the 50 billion dollar LNG project quickly, citing strong Asian demand and geopolitical advantage over Middle Eastern suppliers.
A Juneau resident told the Assembly that management failures and procurement delays have driven the Eagle Crest gondola project cost up by $12 million, warning taxpayers could face that shutdown bill.
Alaska LNG pipeline gains federal backing and strong Asian demand, with officials calling it the state's best chance to move forward on a $50 billion project.
Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema told an Alaska energy conference the state is positioned to become a major AI data center hub, citing natural resources and cool climate as advantages.
Alaska House committee voted to urge federal help relocating two Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta villages destroyed by last October's typhoon, since no current federal law covers storm-driven community moves.
Alaska LNG needs $9.07 per thousand cubic feet to break even under current law, or $10.69 if capital costs reach $60 billion. • Senate Bill 2001 would lower those breakeven prices to $8.54 and $9.97 respectively, but reduce state revenue from North Slope gas. • Department of Revenue presented the modeling to help Senate Finance evaluate the tax restructuring tradeoff.
Afternoon All-Stars
Wasilla Public Library, 500 N. Crusey St. Wasilla AK 99654
Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee - Fish Subcommittee Meeting
RE/MAX Dynamic Properties, 3350 Midtown Place, Anchorage, AK 99503
University of Alaska Board of Regents Full Board Meeting
UA Butrovich Building, 2025 Yukon Drive, Room 109, Fairbanks, AK
Lisa Roderick – Talkeetna Author Visit at Willow Library
Willow Library Conference Room
AIDEA Written Public Comment Deadline
Department of Revenue modeled Alaska LNG's fiscal impact under SB 2001 across 25 scenarios through 2062. • Baseline scenario projects $29 billion in net state revenue gains. • Worst-case scenario with $100 per barrel oil and major production losses would cost the state $16.2 billion.
Anchorage Assembly is deciding between two veteran contracting preference proposals that differ on preference size, eligibility windows, and whether preferences apply to qualifications-based bids or price-based bids only.
Alaska's largest power grid is rewriting transmission cost rules this week to let utilities buy cheaper power as Cook Inlet gas supplies tighten and bills rise.
Trump administration stalls new 8(a) applications for Alaska Native corporations amid fraud review. • 2024 lawsuit challenges whether special contracting treatment for Alaska Native firms is constitutional. • Program generated 13.5 billion dollars in revenue in 2022 and employs roughly 50,000 people worldwide.
Anchorage School District projects a $40 million deficit for fiscal year 2028 on top of $90 million in earlier cuts, after voters rejected a $12 million tax levy and $79 million bond in April.
Glenfarne raised Alaska LNG cost estimate to 44.5 to 54.5 billion dollars, up from state agency's 38.7 billion. • Legislature can buy 5 to 25 percent equity stake within 180 days after final investment decision. • Property tax reform is central to project financing, with current rates costing roughly 380 million dollars yearly during construction.
The Railbelt Transmission Organization will hold three closed subcommittee meetings June 10 and 11 to discuss technical standards, transmission tariffs, and financing for Alaska's 700-mile electric grid serving two-thirds of the state's population.
A U.S. Senate committee heard testimony May 21 on a proposed federal ban of gender transition care for minors, as Alaska's State Medical Board simultaneously pursues a draft regulation that would label such care negligent and risk provider licenses.
Senate bill would tax Alaska LNG by volume instead of property value, generating $26.5 billion in state and local revenue. • The shift trades potentially higher property tax income for tax certainty to attract the project developer. • Mayors oppose the bill, saying municipalities would lose hundreds of millions in annual property tax revenue.
Anchorage Assembly weighs two veteran business preference plans with different eligibility and scope. • S-1: 5 percent preference up to $50,000 for any honorably discharged veteran, applies to all contracts. • S-2: limits to Alaska residents separated within five years, sliding scale, bids only, $500,000 lifetime cap. • Effective July 1, 2026 if passed.
Consultant warns Senate Finance that Alaska LNG faces megaproject risks, citing data showing 67% of LNG projects exceed budgets by 70% on average.
Mat-Su Planning Commission approved a resolution Monday to rewrite multifamily design standards, with a public hearing set for June 15 before the proposal goes to the borough assembly.
Senate Finance heard the proposed Alaska LNG tax break would cut state and municipal revenues by $18 billion over 30 years, but the estimate rests on construction costs that may range from $45 billion to $90 billion.
Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee directed staff to study converting the 16-acre Killarney Hills youth baseball field into at least 30 residential lots to address housing shortages.
Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee directed staff to study converting the 16-acre Killarney Hills youth baseball field into at least 30 residential lots to address housing needs.
North Slope Borough Mayor Patkotak and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Micciche negotiated property tax terms for the Alaska LNG project as the House Finance Committee delayed its amendment deadline to allow talks to continue.
Alaska Senate Finance Committee halted action on SB 2001 until the state gets the developer's actual cost data and gas sales contracts instead of relying on a model built on guesses.
Alaska House Finance Committee examined a plan letting the state buy 5 to 25 percent equity stakes in Alaska LNG for up to $4 billion total, while conditioning a tax break for the pipeline on building a 30-mile spur line to Fairbanks.
Anchorage Assembly is split on a veteran business preference for city contracts, with disagreement over whether to limit it to veterans discharged in the past five years and whether to require honorable discharge status.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is studying aircraft noise impacts and will present mitigation options at public meetings by mid-summer 2026.
More conversations about the Governor's plan to make the AK LNG project more profitable to investors.
Canada landed its big LNG project the old-fashioned way, by quietly stacking tax breaks for investors years before anyone broke ground, and Alaska's Senate spent Wednesday flipping through the recipe to see what's worth copying.
Alaska’s LNG project may have just gotten a $24 billion “whoops.” The state has been planning around a $46 billion price tag, but lawmakers were told the real number may be closer to $70 billion — which is less of a budget update and more of a financial jump scare.
Energy consultant says property tax costs $600 million yearly, making Alaska LNG unfinanceable.
Finance Committee cut $736,000 from city budget but Juneau still faces $687,000 deficit for 2027. Travel Juneau funding dropped $400,000, museum budget cut $261,500, and landscape budget trimmed $75,000. Committee rejected cuts to affordable housing and fire station lease that would raise insurance costs. Full Assembly votes on budget June 8.
Cordova Council must choose by June 3 between raising property taxes or using federal funds for a $181,000 school budget increase. City Manager Sam proposed raising the mill rate to 12.07, costing homeowners about $404 more yearly. Council has $436,000 to $486,000 in available federal funding but debates if one-time money can reliably fund ongoing school costs.
Petersburg wastewater rates to rise 53.5% over five years starting 2027 to fund three major projects worth 18.5 million dollars. • Average monthly bill jumps from 62.54 to 75.05 dollars in year one. • Assembly wants alternative rate schedules with flatter increases before voting.
Assembly delayed vote on cell tower rules as residents warned towers will rise without zoning limits. Planning Commission proposes overlay directing towers to borough and Forest Service land away from homes. Two companies seeking Petersburg sites. Mayor aims to introduce ordinance at next meeting if attorney approves.
Petersburg adds 1.71 mills to property taxes to cover 5% budget increase. • Health insurance costs rise $90,000, plus vehicle replacement and wage raises. • Marine passenger fee increases from $5 to $8 per head starting January 2027. • Final budget vote scheduled for June 1.
Petersburg Planning Commission identified cell tower sites on public and private land to guide wireless companies away from homes. Overlay zone ordinance would let companies build towers by right at approved spots, up to 200 feet tall. Commission drafting legal descriptions and ordinance language for June meeting before assembly vote.















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Federal officials said Alaska holds 95 percent of U.S. critical minerals but permitting timelines of 15 to 18 years block production needed for national security.
Tap or swipe for 38 more stories
Thu, Nov 5Alaska News Daily Brief8 min · 14 stories