Sen. Cathy Giessel discusses committee referrals for SB 206 with Senate President Gary Stevens, Sen. Joe Paskvan, Sen. Bill Wielechowski, and Minority Leader Sen. John Coghill. Also shown in foreground are Assistant Sgt.-at-Arms Tabitha Williams and Sgt.-at-Arms Zachary Mannix.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sen. Giessel Introduces SB 206, Enacting the

Interstate Mining Compact 

(Juneau) Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, today introduced legislation to enact the Interstate Mining Compact, which would allow Alaska to join the Compact with other mineral-producing states.

“The Interstate Mining Compact has, in the past, focused mainly on coal-producing states in the east, and has been very helpful in establishing standards for protecting land, air and water resources, as well as reclamation after mining has stopped,” Sen. Giessel said. “Now, there is an effort to expand the scope of the Compact, and several hard-rock mining states throughout the west are interested in joining.

“Alaska has excellent mining law under Title 27, including a comprehensive coal mining reclamation law that’s been in place for 30 years, an achievement of the late Senator Bettye Fahrenkamp. So, production of Alaska’s mineral resources has worked very well in concert with protection of our land and water. By joining this compact with other states, we can build on our successes, share what works with others, and work together to build a better mining industry.”

The purpose of the Interstate Mining Compact is to advance an efficient and productive mining sector, provide a forum for collaboration and advocacy of best practices among member states, as well as to protect the land, water and other resources affected by mining activities, among other relevant activities.

SB 206 was referred to the State Affairs and Finance committees.

# # #

Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, testifies before the House State Affairs committee during a February 16 hearing on SB 89, a bill he introduced at the request of the Legislative Ethics Committee, of which he is a member. The bill makes a number of changes to the ethics law, which can be read here: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20%2089&session=27

Alaskans Support ANWR Leasing Provision in HR 7 in Congress

By Sen. Cathy Giessel

Once again, there is momentum in Congress to move the ball forward on ANWR exploration and development.

I recently sent a letter to Chairman David Dreier and all members of the Rules committee in the U.S. House of Representative urging them to not strip the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) provision from HR 7.  If we are to work toward energy self-sufficiency, we must open a small portion of the ANWR to responsible oil and gas development.

Significant hydrocarbon resources exist in the 1002 area of ANWR.  Credible estimates identify more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 18 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lie within the 1002 area of ANWR.

The specific footprint designated for development is very small, about three square miles.  The whole 1002 area is about the size of the state of South Carolina.  Advances in technology have made it possible to access significant resources from the very small portion that would be developed.

Given that the U.S. imports about 49 percent of the oil (2010) it consumes, it is vital that we seize the opportunity for oil and gas development on the Alaska coastal plain.

Exploration, development, extraction and transportation of oil from the North Slope has been conducted in a very environmentally safe way for many decades.  Under the state’s stewardship, caribou herds that call the Coastal Plain of ANWR home have increased from about 5,000 animals in the 1970’s to more than 65,000 animals today.  Polar bear, fox, geese and other wildlife thrive in close proximity to the development activities, without negative affect.

A profound majority of Alaskans, seventy-eight percent, support petroleum resource development in the 1002 area.  Every Alaska Governor, every Legislature, and elected Congressional Representative and Senator from Alaska have supported responsible development in ANWR.  In addition, the people who live in the area understand the importance of development.  The North Slope Borough and the Alaska Federation of Natives, as well as residents of the community of Kaktovik, the only Native village within ANWR, also support responsible development.

Alaskans remember that one vote, by a visionary leader in the U.S. Senate, allowed construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline, providing the U.S. with vital petroleum resources.  America needs the same courage and vision today.  Today, Alaskans can – once again – do their part by encouraging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote “yes” to open ANWR.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 14

Sen. Cathy Giessel Will Hold Constituent Town Hall Meetings at Rabbit Cr., Eagle R. Saturday, Feb. 18

ANCHORAGE – State Senator Cathy Giessel will host or co-host two open forum town hall meetings this Saturday, February 18, 2012 to discuss issues with her Senate District P constituents in South Anchorage and Eagle River. The South Anchorage town hall meeting will be held at the Rabbit Creek Community Church from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Eagle River town hall meeting is scheduled for the Chugiak Senior Center from 2-4:00 p.m.

“Now that our 2012 legislative session is well underway, I think it is prudent to check in with interested constituents to find out what is important to them,” Giessel said. “Many crucial issues have been held over from last year – including tax reform that results in increased TAPS throughput; equitable education funding; the Susitna-Watana dam project; and diminishing federal dollars, to name just a few. I look forward to meeting with my friends and neighbors and incorporating their concerns and ideas into the debate in Juneau.”

Town Hall Meetings on Saturday, February 18:

South Anchorage         10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Rabbit Creek Community Church

Eagle River                   2 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Chugiak Senior Center

Other Upcoming Town Hall Meetings in Senate District P:

Girdwood Town Hall: Sat., March 3 – 11-12:30 @ The Meadows Community Room

South Anch. Town Hall: Sat., March 17 – 10-11:30am @ Chapel of the Cross Church of the Nazarene

Eagle River Town Home: Sat., March 17 – 2-4pm @ Eagle River Town Center

# # #

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 09, 2012

Sen. Giessel – SB 146, Authorizing Snow Classic,

Approved by Senate Labor & Commerce Committee 

(Juneau) A bill that would authorize Four Valleys Community School, Inc. in Girdwood to conduct a “snow classic” was approved today by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. The intent of the bill is to allow FVCS to raise funds for its programs. The classic would be conducted much like other classics, such as the Nenana Ice Classic. In this case, participants would buy a ticket and make a guess as to how much snow will have accumulated on Mt. Alyeska as of a specific date and time.

The FVCS is a nonprofit organization that annually offers more than 250 community school classes, and sponsors various community events, for participants from Girdwood to Eagle River and Homer.

“I am grateful to see SB 146 moving forward,” said Sen. Giessel. “The Four Valleys Community School volunteers are a dedicated group who have provided life-long learning opportunities for more than 30 years. They have also funded scholarships for local high school graduates and athletes. The proposed Snow Classic will give the organization a continuing, dependable, long-term source of funding to sustain their valuable efforts.

“In addition to that long-term goal, operating the Snow Classic will help achieve the FVCS’s short-term goal of self-sufficiency while keeping the classes they offer affordable and locally available,” Sen. Giessel said.

State law currently authorizes numerous “classics,” including mercury classics in Homer and Fairbanks; a Mt. Marathon race classic; ice classics, salmon classics, and rain classics in communities throughout the state; a cabbage classic in Palmer; and goose classics in Kenai and Fairbanks, among others.

SB 146 will next be referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

# # #