Alaska Lawmakers Head to Special Session Over Natural Gas Pipeline Bill
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a special legislative session to advance a controversial natural gas pipeline bill as lawmakers remain divided over tax incentives and project finances.
(P&GJ) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a special legislative session beginning Thursday to continue debate over a natural gas pipeline bill that has become a central focus of his administration, according to Associated Press coverage.
The session will begin immediately after the close of Alaska’s regular legislative session and centers on House Bill 381, legislation tied to taxation and incentives for a proposed natural gas pipeline project. Dunleavy has argued the measure is necessary to improve the project’s economic viability and move development forward.
Lawmakers, however, remain divided over how much financial support and tax relief should be provided to the project developer. Competing versions of the legislation in the Alaska House and Senate seek to scale back some of the incentives while preserving more revenue for the state and local communities affected by the pipeline route.
Efforts to pass a compromise bill before the regular session deadline appeared to stall Tuesday after the Alaska House voted to send the legislation back to committee, effectively ending its chances of advancing before adjournment.
According to the Associated Press report, some legislators have also raised concerns about limited financial disclosures tied to the project and whether sufficient economic details have been provided by developer Glenfarne and the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.
Dunleavy, speaking during an energy conference in Anchorage, criticized lawmakers he said were delaying progress on a project he views as critical to Alaska’s long-term energy and economic future.