Video Clips

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

Neal Foster “our next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, which is Wednesday, June 10th, at 11:00 AM. We'll take up the remaining amendments.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 2:00pm · Jun 9, 2026

“a lot of times that we do a project, we fundraise for that project, and if we don't have enough our board member will come in and say, okay, let's do another fundraising, or let's donate in to try to get this program going”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“I'm looking for funding for any of those programs. You know, if you can fund me for the rental assistance program and utilities to keep people from getting evicted from their home, and that's what our program is for, for that, is to keep them from not evicting from their house.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“PAWS scholarship and awards, 2021 to current, we awarded 16 students, received education scholarship of total of $19,200.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“We don't have employees. We have 21 members. Okay, we have members.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“Polynesian Association of Alaska started back in 2004 in a small office down here on the Thompson Building on 3rd Avenue”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“PAL also, um, through their education We started Pacific Island Education Scholarship in 2021, and currently we have 18 students that's already awarded for this scholarship, and that's about $21,600”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“my name is Lucy Hansen. I'm the CEO of the Polynesian Association of Alaska”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“there's a need out there and there's work that nobody can see, only us. You know, and I want to share with you all, if you ever see my application come in at some point, somehow, you know, you think about what I, you know, what I do or what we do. We don't have any paid staff at all, not like other organizations that pay their staff.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“during COVID we also, not just my community, but we do peer leader navigator through ALP, and we have a lot of calls from a lot of other communities, not just specific Latin communities.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“390 Individuals, 42 families from 2 members to 10 members in the household. Rentals, 25 families. Electricity and gas, 16 families.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“I used to work for the state of Alaska. I retired after 27 years with the state, and, um, I said I'm going to put my time into my nonprofit because I want to help my community. But then working with my community, it's not just my community that I see the need It's more than just Pacific Island community.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“right now we're close to about 35,000 of our Pacific Islander all over Alaska, and most of them, 75% or 80%, are here in Anchorage.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“up to now, we still have— we just helped 2 families last month on their electricity and their gas, but we still looking for funding to help the community.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“all of us are volunteers through our community, through our organization. None of us are paid staff. We volunteer our services to the community.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“its mission is to seize empower and educate individuals and families, and most of all, we promote pride and acceptance of all cultures.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“This last May, we just completed our 21 years since we started our Asian and Pacific Island Heritage Month, and we did that down at the Park Strip last Saturday, even though it was cold, but It was a lot of people there. I think people were just dying to get out of the house, but it was a lot of people, about 1,500 people.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

“In 2021, when we had started our homeless and rental and rental and utility assistance program, when we first— that night when we first brought it to the community, I mean, the hall was full of people, and I didn't know that I know that we do need that service, but I didn't know how many families needed it. But when we went to sleep that night, I only— we woke up the next day, we had 15 applications, but our program can only accept 2 first applications that we receive per month because we don't have enough funding for it to help everybody.”

Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

Neal Foster “5 Yea, 6 nay. So on a vote of 5 yea to 6 nay, Amendment Number 20 has not been adopted.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Sara Hannan “without establishing RCA oversight, um, we don't have protection for our ratepayers in Alaska. And right now that federal oversight of FERC has a slightly different goal, and they As we heard from Mr. Stickel that— and I, and I believe Mr. Kissinger, the interstate actions are not regulated by the RCA. And I want to make sure that we have the opportunity for Alaskan ratepayers to participate in dockets and hearings and understand the costs that may roll into their utility costs.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Calvin Schrage “This brings us back to where we were prior to that amendment, reenacts the status quo, and again provides additional protection for ratepayers from unnecessary costs being passed on to them, and I think it's a step in the right direction.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Calvin Schrage “Amendment 21 repeals the existing statute that prohibits the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, also known as the RCA, from regulating an LNG import facility which falls under federal jurisdiction. This amendment specifically places liquefied natural gas facilities under RCA jurisdiction.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Calvin Schrage “the RCA is there to protect ratepayers and make sure that the costs that are being passed on to ratepayers are justified and valid and necessary. And there is concern that an LNG import facility could have excessive costs that could ultimately be passed on to the ratepayer. And so that's where I've heard a desire to ensure that an import facility itself is covered under RCA jurisdiction to make sure that those costs associated with that facility are able to be evaluated and scrutinized by the RCA.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Calvin Schrage “My understanding is that there is a desire to continue to have RCA oversight over LNG sales through an import facility. You know, I think it's still envisioned that there could be imports at some point, and if that is the case, I've heard loudly from many stakeholders that they'd like to see those sales under RCA jurisdiction.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Frank Tomaszewski “I believe now, right now, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates the import facilities, and I think you may unknowingly or unwittingly add, by adding the RCA to regulate the import facility, I think What may end up happening is any cost involved with that import facility, any building of it, any maintenance of it, will be passed on to the customers through the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.”

Alaska Legislature: House Finance - June 9, 2026 11:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “Every word matters in this contract. And we are seeking every opportunity, whether it's upfront or along the 30-year term, to find ways to reduce the cost of energy to our customers.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “when the pipeline is built, after a certain transition period, the AK LNG project will, will will buy the assets of the LNG import project. And why that's important is they're currently two independent projects. And if that wasn't set up that way, we would still have to pay for the LNG infrastructure even though we're not bringing in LNG import. So that's, that's the principle behind this is the AK LNG project will procure the LNG import infrastructure and assets that have already been built that will remove the cost obligation from the ratepayers.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “We can, we can talk a lot about increasing the price, but price is only as good as the alternative solutions that are out there. And ultimately, when we look at a long-term solution, we have to have our customers in mind.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

James Kaufman “there's concern if the project doesn't happen, there's concern if the project does happen that will somehow be open to cost overruns of the project and we won't be able to contain the cost to the consumer. And I know you don't necessarily have much to do with the total project cost overrun piece of it, But you're right in the middle of trying to assure that you have a reliable supply of gas delivered at the best possible cost.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Bert Stedman “So if we give them, say, $150 million in tax relief, yet they cost us another $110, we only have a margin of $40. That doesn't make good business sense to me from a consumer's perspective.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “NStar is not providing any equity for either of these projects. Back in 2024, we were contemplating making an investment in the LNG import terminal. And then on the floor in 2024, HB 307 Amendment 14, with the exception of one vote, the entire House voted to prohibit LNG facilities or infrastructure being recovered by utilities and rates.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “when you look at that infrastructure that's required, it's about an additional 3 to 5 MMBTU in addition to the commodity price plus the shipping price. So when you're looking at the total all-in cost for LNG imports, assuming that the JKM forecast is correct, you're looking at somewhere from $16 to $22 per MMBtu.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “I balance a contract for a price per MCF with a certain inflation factor what that price looks like over a long period of time, which is 30 years, and how that compares to the other alternatives. And NSTAR has spent over $4.5 million on analysis, demand studies, worldwide RFPs to bring in the best of the best to meet our customers' needs. And this is the project that's selected— that we selected because of the potential it has to reduce the cost of energy and how it compares to the other alternatives.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Bert Stedman “So just say it is 1%. That is an extremely costly financial maneuver to whoever in the state has to pay for it. And the majority of it, if we're stuck with the in-state gas line, we don't get to Phase 2. Is gonna be the people in the corridor of the rail belt. And you're looking at significant amount of funds, like $110 million a year in debt service.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Bert Stedman “I'd recommend that you put put in reopeners not to pierce the ceiling of 16% plus 2%, but to pierce the floor and go down. They don't have a project without you. And I would recommend to my rail belt colleagues that they encourage you to have reopeners so if there ever is an opportunity to move the price of energy down, You can exercise that if it's every 5 years, every 10 years, or some form.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Bert Stedman “That's $110 million, adding $2.5 billion to the cost, $2.5 billion. So these are not small, inconsequential decisions.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “we take those prices and we bundle them all together and file them with the commission in what we call our gas cost adjustment. So it takes all of the volumes from what you're seeing here, which is right around $8.50, the $12.30 from Fury, and then that $16 gas, average it all together, and that results in a weighted average cost of gas of about $10.80 is what our customers are paying today.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

John Sims “those are all fantastic points that you raise and concerns for anyone that's investing or developing the project. From my perspective, and one of the reasons why we've taken the better part of a year to negotiate this contract, my job is to ensure that my kids and my kids' kids have low cost of energy. And so when I evaluate and negotiate this contract, it doesn't matter to me what the project cost is. It only matters what the price I can receive through this contract as it relates to the alternatives for receiving natural gas in the community.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

Bert Stedman “my understanding is Glenfarm is not going to pursue government-backed debt financing. They're going to go into the private market. And if the spread is 100 basis points or 1%, because we've been told at the federal level it's going to be federal bond rate, if it's 20 years, it's plus 3/8, 20-year bond rate, or 30-year bond rate plus 3/8.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 9, 2026 9:00am · Jun 9, 2026

“the River Beach Department shall take the recommendations for the board into consideration when setting rates for covered services. If the rate set by the department for a covered service drift significantly from the rate recommendation by the Board, the Commissioner shall notify the Board and the chair of each legislative committee having jurisdiction of health and social services in writing.”

Alaska Legislature: House Floor Session, 4/27/26, 10:30am · Apr 27, 2026

“It costs more when our elders live in a nursing home as opposed to being able to stay in their own home. It is also more humane when they can stay in their own home. What this bill is all about is having a functioning home care workforce which is actually in the state's best financial interest.”

Alaska Legislature: House Floor Session, 4/27/26, 10:30am · Apr 27, 2026

“35 Yeas, 5 nays. For the vote of 35 yeas to 5 nays, House Bill 96 has passed the body.”

Alaska Legislature: House Floor Session, 4/27/26, 10:30am · Apr 27, 2026

“40 Yeas, 0 nays. With a vote of 40 yeas to 0 nays, House Bill 249 has passed the”

Alaska Legislature: House Floor Session, 4/27/26, 10:30am · Apr 27, 2026

“The core provision of the bill ensures efficient use of public money, um, by minimizing administrative overhead. That's a good thing to do across state functions. It's certainly a good thing to do for long-term home care.”

Alaska Legislature: House Floor Session, 4/27/26, 10:30am · Apr 27, 2026

“our fund balance right now is one bad sales tax quarter away from having no funds to deal with our operating expenses, let alone a major natural disaster or other disaster.”

Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026

“We gave ourselves the task of cutting $2 million out of the budget, plus finding revenue of $2 million. We did not cut $2 million out of our budget. We barely scraped by with $1 million, and then we added a bunch of other things.”

Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026

“I'd like to change that single item amount from $30,000 to $20,000”

Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026

“I added up what it would save us if we were to cut both pools, close both pools, the field house, Eagle Crest, fully close the museum, JDC, Travel Juno, eliminate the housing fund. Move the prosecution of misdemeanors to the state, get rid of taking care of our ball fields. That is $7 million. That is the scale that we are talking about.”

Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026

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