Video Clips

Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.

Mary Evans

“I'm of the opinion that we need appropriate limits and safeguards in place before, not after, this project is greenlit and a precedent is established.”

Petersburg Borough: Planning Commission Meeting 8.11.2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Mary Evans

“The borough's FAQ about the data center states that the 2025 Marine Industrial Overlay does not apply to this parcel because it's privately owned. But the Marine Industrial Overlay ordinance itself does not appear to state that the overlay applies only to borough-owned property.”

Petersburg Borough: Planning Commission Meeting 8.11.2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Liz Cabrera “It's kind of like why, why we are bringing up the data center ordinance is so there is some guidelines for what is allowed and what is not allowed as far as data centers. That's the whole reason to discuss it now, because if there's nothing in place, then if somebody wants to put one on industrial property, there's nothing to stop them.”

Petersburg Borough: Planning Commission Meeting 8.11.2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Mary Evans

“I'm asking the Planning Commission to pause this process and allow time for meaningful due diligence and community discussion before Petersburg establishes a precedent that may be very difficult to reverse.”

Petersburg Borough: Planning Commission Meeting 8.11.2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Liz Cabrera “This suggests it's prohibiting, not banning, and one year from the effective date.”

Petersburg Borough: Planning Commission Meeting 8.11.2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Jesse Kiehl “Well, the Senate, please come to order for the purposes of a technical session. Because we are in a technical session, the roll call is waived today”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session - August 11, 2026 11:00am · Aug 11, 2026

Jesse Kiehl “As we're in a technical session, there are no Senate resolutions for introduction today, nor Senate bills.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session - August 11, 2026 11:00am · Aug 11, 2026

Jesse Kiehl “There are no items of business on today's daily calendar, and no matters of unfinished business are in order today.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session - August 11, 2026 11:00am · Aug 11, 2026

Janice Zilko

“I believe CEA can do better landscaping in this area. Between the two fences, the space is tight at the west corner, but there are very attractive, relatively fast fast-growing, ultra-compact landscape trees that are commonly used in tight spaces and anchorage.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Amma Abaza

“So if we do postpone, does that mean that a second public hearing would happen and the public has a chance to comment again?”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

John Rodda “So the department is recommending approval of the conditional use and the two variances, um, ABC, and two conditions of approval on page 11 of your packet.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Taryn Olson-Yell

“The project includes a complete replacement of the existing substation, so we are installing 2 new transformers for needed redundancy, and those 2 transformers are enclosed on 3 sides by a concrete barrier for additional visual and noise buffering.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Brett McKinnon

“it shows our property adjacent to Station 17 on the east side. It shows our property line, uh, the cut line and the right-of-way line, uh, that's already been alluded to by the commissioners previously, uh, and it cuts approximately 45 feet into our parcel.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “I don't think that we've heard enough from the community members that showed up, and the plans here don't currently reflect what will be proposed in the design, which makes it difficult.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Connor Eshelman

“so right now we are, uh, coming to you with our 65% level design. We are looking to start our right-of-way process, uh, which will take approximately 2 years, putting us into construction, uh, in 2029 or 2030.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

James Michael

“No apparent meaningful work has been done to factor in a connection to Jamie Avenue and further into Bear Valley, and this seems to conflict with the purpose of a federal grant. As currently there is only one means of access to Bear Valley via Clark's Road, a connection to Jamie would open up a second route and could easily be the difference between life and death for residents in the valley in the event of a wildfire.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “Commissioner McKee, could, could we propose to postpone approval until we can see an updated 65% design showing the modified typical section and reduced footprint. Is that something we could propose?”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

John Rodda “On appeal of the case, of the conditional use cases from the Southport Masters Association, the Municipal Board of Adjustment decided to remand both conditional use cases back to the Planning and Zoning Commission due to an insufficient community meeting early this year. Chugach started the project over from the beginning because of the remand and hired a different consultant to assist with a new public outreach process. Um, Chugach dropped from the project the conditional use request for the telecommunications tower, so there's no tower with this new application. Chugach replaced the 11.5-foot-tall block wall, with a 10.5-foot tall decorative fence with the blue band at the top.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

James Michael

“I would strongly encourage this body to further push for clear answers regarding the ultimate goal of this project, for whom the road access is actually intended to benefit, and what the long-term impacts of the current alignment will be.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Taryn Olson-Yell

“So we're asking for 6 additional inches to allow us to have 1 foot of that protective security wire on the top, and we have a 9.5-foot wooden fence that is a match as best as we can with the adjacent fences in the neighborhood.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

John Rodda “The— and approved a variance from landscaping requirements along Southport Drive to replace required buffer landscaping trees with more— substituting more shrubs.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Brett McKinnon

“we think it would be more cost efficient to the municipality as well, uh, for the right-of-way acquisition, for the cost to cure as well as the remainder damages during the right-of-way acquisition, because it would require relocation of our well and it would take away the only usable yard on our property.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

John Rodda “Chugach Electric Association is requesting conditional use approval to upgrade the existing Campbell Lake substation at 1000 Southport Drive. In the R-1 zoning district. Um, Chugach is also requesting variances from landscaping and fence height requirements.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “I move in case 2026-0095 to postpone approval of the context-sensitive solutions transportation project review plans in hand for AMATS Mountain Air Drive extension until after a updated 65% design is submitted.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “this is the cut line that, that the residents have shared shows the cut line literally going right up to the front of their property. And the DOT process would typically require that you acquire a right-of-way that encompasses your total project footprint, so your cut and fill limits would have to be acquired.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Chelsea Bailey

“The addition of the 7-foot buffer and an 8-foot multi-use path paired with a 2-to-1 drainage ditch and back slope requires a significant right-of-way acquisition and will have a disproportionate impact to our property.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Janice Zilko

“This design places the burden of the CEA rebuild disproportionately on the family next door when additional, additional options appear feasible. We don't believe this design meets standards of Criteria 4 nor 7 for CUP approval, nor does it meet the standard for variances, which states approval will not adversely affect the use of adjacent property.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Taryn Olson-Yell

“Uh, following the public meetings, we did have additional meetings with the adjacent property owner, and we have since incorporated 6 additional evergreen trees in between their residential fence and Chugach's proposed ornamental security fence.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Taryn Olson-Yell

“When it was originally constructed in 1976, the facility served roughly 1,400 properties. Today it serves approximately 4,600 properties, which is over 3 times the customer base.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “I intend to support the motion, um, because the, the conditions as presented in staff packet have been met. Additionally, I feel that the, the petitioner has made significant efforts with the community to reach a compromise and incorporate their design considerations.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Andres Spinelli “I also intend to support the motion. I think taking time on this project in particular would be beneficial.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Edith McKee “I think that they've made a really concerted effort to work with the community and reduce the visual impacts to create a facility that blends with the community. I think the removal of the tower is a tremendous improvement over the original design that was proposed.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Bruce Schulte

“Having been involved with the initial appeal of the previous project, I will say that this, this reiteration, both the process and the design, are very much improved. The CHUH-GAAT did do away with the, the elements of the original design that were most concerning.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Brett McKinnon

“one of the proposals that we would like to see in place is that the design does not necessarily get approved and move forward until we see that survey with the existing structures already plotted out to depict the right-of-way impacts, to those existing structures”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

James Michael

“The understanding that I and many members of the public have had based on public meetings with project staff and published documentation regarding the federal grant for this project was that it was intended for, quote, emergency access and egress. However, the project only appears to access a single neighborhood.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Bruce Schulte

“I think those are solvable. I think that some amount of trees either within Chugach property or on Mr. Stevens' property could solve that problem, and I would encourage Chugach to get with Mr. Stevens and get some resolution of that, something that both sides can live with, because other than that, I think this is a greatly improved project from the community perspective.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Chelsea Bailey

“Uh, so because formal— informal discussions with the project team have failed to yield alternative designs and solutions, we're relying on the commission tonight to establish binding conditions that protect our property.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Janice Zilko

“Under this new site plan, two 15-foot-tall transformers would be located immediately adjacent to their property and less than 25 feet from their house. The transformers and razor wire would extend above the screening fence.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Connor Eshelman

“I want to thank, uh, the Baileys for being so thorough. We did meet with them and have every intention of re— uh, taking a closer look at sections, uh, near their area once we have updated survey information.”

Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - August 10, 2026 - 2026-08-10 18:30:00 · Aug 11, 2026

Maxine Richert

“It was established in 1942, and Walter was the first and only minister, Dr. Soboleff.”

Sealaska Heritage Institute: Ḵaajaaḵwtí Dr. Sobolef Documentary | Sealaska Heritage · Aug 10, 2026

Ronalda Cadiente-Brown

“It's now easy to understand why November 14th is is Dr. Walter Sobolev Day in Alaska. A lifetime of challenging work, all done with gentleness.”

Sealaska Heritage Institute: Ḵaajaaḵwtí Dr. Sobolef Documentary | Sealaska Heritage · Aug 10, 2026

Maxine Richert

“At the time that it closed, it was the USA Presbytery closed it. It wasn't the wish of the congregation.... And Dr. Soboleff had just ordered 14 new pews. And then all of a sudden, it was just abruptly closed.”

Sealaska Heritage Institute: Ḵaajaaḵwtí Dr. Sobolef Documentary | Sealaska Heritage · Aug 10, 2026

Maxine Richert

“Although it was called the Native Church, after it was established, white neighbors in the neighborhood asked Dr. Soboleff, "Well, can we join your church?" So he asked the Native congregation, and they said, "Why not?" So it became an integrated church.”

Sealaska Heritage Institute: Ḵaajaaḵwtí Dr. Sobolef Documentary | Sealaska Heritage · Aug 10, 2026

Randy Bates “It's, it's something that we haven't played with very much in the regulatory world, but it's something that has a lot of potential to streamline permitting, make it easier to get your permit, make it easier to get you active in the field.”

11-3-25 RDC Breakfast Forum - A Conversation with Alaska's Regulatory Agency Commissioners

John Crowther “Why hasn't this particular person reviewed this? What's the hangup here? We have a lot of ability to get in and participate now, so it's really exciting.”

11-3-25 RDC Breakfast Forum - A Conversation with Alaska's Regulatory Agency Commissioners

Randy Bates “We found a better way of doing business where a simple drafting of regulations sets out the rules by which you operate. You just simply have to toggle online that you need this coverage. You're good to go. It's an overnight permit. It's called permit by rule.”

11-3-25 RDC Breakfast Forum - A Conversation with Alaska's Regulatory Agency Commissioners

John Crowther “The governor wants us to meet or beat the federal timelines. And for the first time in my life, federal timelines may be moving forward and actually be a little bit more predictable timeline.”

11-3-25 RDC Breakfast Forum - A Conversation with Alaska's Regulatory Agency Commissioners

Randy Bates “Now they've reempowered this FAST-41 group, and we just need to make it permanent. We need to make it stick so that it has longevity and withstands the swing of the next administration's pendulum.”

11-3-25 RDC Breakfast Forum - A Conversation with Alaska's Regulatory Agency Commissioners

← Newer Older →