Economy & Business
RSSAlaska News covers state economic issues including cannabis banking, state dividends, and business development opportunities.
Kodiak Borough Lands Committee develops framework to streamline land disposal
The Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee is creating standardized principles and screening criteria to make land disposal decisions more transparent and efficient, addressing workforce housing needs while protecting public interests.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
Juneau committee weighs limiting short-term rentals to one per owner
The Assembly Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee reviewed a draft ordinance that would cap short-term rental ownership at one property per person, with members divided on whether the restriction addresses housing availability concerns.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min read
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 5mo ago2 min read
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 News5mo ago5 min read
Alaska lawmakers explore data center development as economic opportunity
National experts briefed Alaska House State Affairs Committee on data center economics, highlighting the state's potential advantages in cool climate and natural gas while noting growing national concerns about energy demands and tax incentives.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
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 5mo ago4 min read
Assembly postpones developer's land deadline amid mobile home park dispute
The Anchorage Assembly voted 7-3 to postpone a decision on extending a developer's land deadline until May 12 after emotional testimony from South Park Estates residents facing displacement.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
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 News5mo ago2 min read
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 News5mo ago4 min read
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 News5mo ago4 min read
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 News5mo ago4 min read
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 News5mo ago2 min readSenate Finance Advances Agricultural Leasing Reform After Farmer Cites $9,000 Annual Fee
The Senate Finance Committee moved forward with legislation to make state agricultural land more accessible through below-market leases and merit-based selection after hearing testimony about prohibitive appraisal costs.
by Alaska News5mo ago4 min read
Alaska 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 News5mo ago5 min read
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 News5mo ago4 min read
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 News5mo ago5 min read
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 News5mo ago5 min read
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 5mo ago8 min read
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 Matt5mo ago4 min read
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 5mo ago6 min read
Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation reports progress on green financing
The Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation updated the House Energy Committee on its development as a financing intermediary for sustainable energy projects, including a $4.7 million federal loan program for residential energy efficiency.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago5 min read
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 5mo ago4 min read
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 5mo ago7 min read
Alaska Senate panel hears bill requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles
The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 148, which would require human safety operators in commercial autonomous vehicles operating in Alaska, citing the state's extreme weather conditions as a safety concern.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
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 News5mo ago2 min readSenate panel hears autonomous vehicle bill requiring human operators
The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 148, which would require human safety operators in commercial autonomous vehicles operating in Alaska.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
House 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 5mo ago4 min read
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 5mo ago3 min read
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 News5mo ago4 min read
Alaska DOT seeks snow removal equipment for statewide airports
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readSenate Resources advances three bills on agriculture, evacuations, invasive species
The Senate Resources Committee moved three bills forward on April 17, covering agricultural land leases, evacuation color-coding standards, and creation of an invasive species council.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min read
House 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 5mo ago5 min read
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 readAlaska Airlines Pilots Raise Concerns Over Hawaiian Merger Integration
Alaska Airlines pilots are raising concerns about seniority integration, route operations, and job stability as the carrier completes its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readEarly construction work causes two-hour delays on Palmer commute
Construction work starting at 6 a.m. on April 23 caused two-hour delays for Palmer commuters during morning rush hour.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readValdez 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 readAlaska mines release toxic metals into rivers, state data shows
Alaska mines lead the nation in toxic releases, with both active operations and abandoned sites contaminating rivers and affecting communities that depend on clean water for subsistence.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min readRural 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 read
Remote Alaska villages pay $6.63 per gallon as fuel costs strain budgets
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min readBristol Bay tribes fight to defend EPA veto of Pebble Mine in court
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
