Economy & Business
RSSAlaska News covers state economic issues including cannabis banking, state dividends, and business development opportunities.
House panel hears tax proposal for Alaska LNG project
The House Resources Committee received a Department of Revenue presentation on House Bill 381, which would replace property taxes on the Alaska LNG project with a 15-cent per thousand cubic feet volumetric tax on the pipeline, reducing the project's annual tax burden from nearly $750 million to roughly $200 million by 2033.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Dunleavy says Alaska gas pipeline depends on property tax overhaul
Governor Mike Dunleavy urged the legislature to pass a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes bill within three weeks, calling it essential to financing what he described as the largest project in Alaska history, an LNG pipeline from the North Slope.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min readAI
Senate panel doubles oil surcharge for Dalton Highway maintenance in gas pipeline bill
The Senate Resources Committee adopted a new version of the Alaska gas pipeline bill that doubles a proposed oil surcharge to 30 cents per barrel to fund Dalton Highway maintenance, though the revenue falls short of estimated needs.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readAIAlaska LNG project could tap Defense Production Act for federal support
The Alaska Senate Resources Committee heard testimony on how the Defense Production Act, invoked by President Trump in April, could provide unprecedented federal support for the $47 billion Alaska LNG project through grants, loan guarantees, or offtake agreements.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
House panel ties Alaska gas line tax breaks to Fairbanks spur line
House Resources Committee advances substitute bill requiring Alaska LNG project to build spur line to Fairbanks North Star Borough as condition for receiving tax incentives, ensuring Interior residents pay same tariff as Southcentral customers.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Zoning Board Approves Variances Despite Municipal Errors on Canyon Road Property
The Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals granted variances for a Canyon Road property after the municipality discovered its 2013 nonconforming determination contained multiple errors, allowing both an existing home and proposed shop to encroach into rear setbacks.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
Alaska DOT files five equipment bids for snow blowers, paint trucks, road maintenance gear
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAIPlatting Board Denies Shawn Street Vacation Amid Gaming Hall Concerns
The Platting Board rejected a request to vacate Shawn Street right-of-way in Birchwood, citing concerns about future residential access despite neighbors' fears of commercial traffic from an adjacent gaming hall.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
Senate panel advances gas pipeline tax overhaul with $610M revenue target
The Senate Resources Committee adopted a comprehensive rewrite of gas pipeline taxation combining policy oversight and new tax structures that could generate $610 million annually from Alaska's natural gas resources.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
Alaska's Right-to-Repair Bill Navigates National Debate on Consumer Access
The House Community & Regional Affairs Committee advanced HB 162, a digital product repair bill, placing Alaska among states wrestling with how broadly to extend repair rights while protecting business models and intellectual property.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago5 min readAI
Senate unveils gas pipeline bill with $600M property tax, consumer protections
The Senate Resources Committee introduced sweeping changes to the governor's gas pipeline proposal, including a $600 million property tax at full production, prohibitions on shifting cost overruns to consumers, and $1 million per mile impact payments to communities during construction.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min readAI
Denali Borough mayor opposes state control of pipeline tax payments
Denali Borough's mayor testified against a provision in SB 280 that would route pipeline tax revenue through the state legislature, seeking direct payments and upfront impact fees instead.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min readAI
Energy consultant: Alaska LNG tax bill could cut delivered cost by 20 cents
Energy consultant tells House Resources Committee that proposed alternative volumetric tax in HB 381 would reduce delivered cost to Asia by roughly 20 cents per MMBtu compared to current property tax, potentially making the $46+ billion project more competitive globally while still generating stable municipal revenue.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Oil industry opposes tax provisions in Alaska gas pipeline bill
Alaska Oil and Gas Association testified against multiple tax provisions in SB 280, warning that sections decoupling oil and gas lease expenditures and imposing new S-corp taxes could harm current operations and chill investment.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
Planning Commission accepts DOT concept for Tudor Road interchange redesign
The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission accepted a concept report for the Alaska Department of Transportation's plan to rebuild the Seward Highway and Tudor Road interchange with improved pedestrian safety features and a tight diamond design.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska LNG Consultant Flags Potential 50% Return for Developers vs. $1B State Revenue
Legislative consultant Nick Fulford presented hastily-prepared analysis showing Alaska LNG midstream developers could earn roughly 50% annual returns by 2040-2050 while the state receives approximately $1 billion in combined taxes, raising questions about the proposed tax structure's fairness.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min readAI
Zoning Board Approves Two Variances, Denies Girdwood Deck Request
The Anchorage Zoning Board approved variances for two Eagle River properties with setback violations but denied a Girdwood homeowner's request to legalize an elevated deck encroaching 5 feet into the front setback.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
House panel advances travel insurance consumer protection bill
The Alaska House Transportation Committee moved HB 302 forward Tuesday, legislation that would modernize the state's travel insurance regulations to align with national standards adopted by 42 other states.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska LNG Tax Bill Walks Tightrope Between Project Viability and Local Needs
House Resources Committee's revised tax structure for Alaska LNG reflects tension between competitive global positioning and community impact compensation that defines natural gas megaproject debates worldwide.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Alaska House panel hears retirement savings bill for small business workers
The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on HB 338, which would create an automatic IRA program for employees at Alaska businesses without retirement plans.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Alaska LNG tax bill could swing state revenue by hundreds of millions
Department of Revenue warns that regulatory interpretations of Senate Bill 280's complex tax provisions could shift Alaska's annual revenue by hundreds of millions of dollars, with the bill creating new taxes while exempting the Alaska LNG project from property taxes.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Homer Council to Vote on HART Sales Tax Renewal for November Ballot
Homer City Council votes tonight on placing a 20-year renewal of the 0.75 percent HART sales tax before voters in November to fund road and trail maintenance.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska lawmakers hear warnings of rural fuel crisis, weigh loan program expansion
The House Energy Committee heard testimony about fuel supply challenges facing rural Alaska communities and discussed potential expansions to the state's Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min readAI
Alaska Energy Survey Shows Strong Support for Renewables, Mixed Views on Nuclear
Researchers presented survey results showing Alaskans favor expanding hydroelectric, solar and wind power while opinions on nuclear energy remain divided, with support for a natural gas pipeline dropping when tied to higher costs.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Senate panel hears workforce plan for Alaska LNG pipeline
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee received a presentation on workforce needs for the Alaska LNG pipeline project, with consultants warning the state must act immediately to prepare workers for construction that could begin as soon as 2027.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min readAI
Municipal League urges local control in Alaska LNG tax negotiations
Alaska Municipal League Executive Director Nils Andreassen testified that local governments want the ability to negotiate individually with the Alaska LNG project developer rather than accept a one-size-fits-all tax structure.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min readAI
Senate Resources hears LNG tax framework comparison, transparency concerns
The Senate Resources Committee heard a presentation on fiscal frameworks for LNG projects and how Alaska's constitutional obligations create unique challenges compared to other jurisdictions, while public testimony supported transparency legislation.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago8 min readAI
Senate panel examines price controls, federal authority on gas pipeline
The Senate Resources Committee discussed legal concerns about proposed natural gas price caps and whether federal regulatory authority over interstate commerce conflicts with state legislative oversight of the Alaska LNG pipeline project.
by Matt4mo ago4 min readAI
Senate panel examines LNG project economics, megaproject risks
Consultants presented economic modeling of the proposed alternative volumetric tax for the Alaska LNG project and warned of cost and schedule risks common to large infrastructure developments.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago6 min readAI
Senate panel hears data center safeguards, tribal education bill
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 250, which would require data centers to cover their own infrastructure costs and protect existing ratepayers from fuel supply risks and rate increases.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
House Resources Committee debates LNG equity stakes, rejects wildlife refuge amendments
The House Resources Committee heard testimony on state equity participation in the Alaska LNG project and voted down nine amendments to a wildlife refuge consolidation bill, with most votes splitting 5-4 along party lines.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago7 min readAI
Senate Finance hears corporate tax shift targeting online sales to Alaskans
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 280, which would shift Alaska's corporate income tax to market-based sourcing, a change expected to generate $15 million annually by taxing out-of-state companies based on where Alaska customers receive services.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAIHouse Finance hears divided testimony on pharmacist prescribing bill
The House Finance Committee heard more than three hours of public testimony on HB 195, which would expand pharmacists' prescriptive authority, with supporters citing improved healthcare access and opponents raising abortion medication concerns.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min readAI
House committee hears bill to eliminate tax discounts
The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 164, which would eliminate several tax discounts and deductions to raise nearly $500,000 annually for the state.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min readAI
Senate panel examines regulatory questions on gas pipeline tax plan
The Senate Resources Committee discussed federal versus state jurisdiction over a proposed natural gas pipeline and debated an alternative tax structure that would replace property taxes with a volumetric fee.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min readAI
Alaska DOT seeks snow removal equipment for statewide airports
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAIHouse Finance hears divided testimony on pharmacist prescribing bill
The House Finance Committee heard more than three hours of public testimony on HB 195, which would expand pharmacists' prescriptive authority, with supporters citing improved healthcare access and opponents raising abortion medication concerns.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago5 min readAI
State regulators extend review periods for Railbelt utility tariffs
Alaska regulators extended review periods for Railbelt utility tariff filings and set procedural schedules for rate cases involving Chugach Electric and Enstar Natural Gas.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAIValdez Planning and Zoning Commission Meets Tonight
The Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission holds its regular meeting tonight at 7:00 PM to address zoning updates, subdivision approvals, and land use matters affecting the Prince William Sound community.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min readAIRural Alaska Electricity Costs Run Three to Five Times Urban Rates
Rural Alaska residents pay electricity costs three to five times higher than urban areas due to diesel-powered microgrids and fuel delivery challenges in remote villages.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAI
