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.

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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.

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Sen. Cathy Giessel testified on Tuesday, Feb. 7 as prime sponsor of SCR 16, which would proclaim May 2012 as “Celiac Disease Awareness Month.” Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that triggers various symptoms due to the ingestion of gluten. This can be found in many food products made from certain common grains, such as wheat, barley and rye.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Sen. Giessel SCR 16 – Celiac Disease Awareness Month – Passes Senate State Affairs Committee 

(Juneau) – Legislation to proclaim May 2012 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month, SCR 16, was approved by the Senate State Affairs committee today. The resolution will now be referred to the Rules committee for calendaring on the Senate floor.

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an advanced nurse practitioner, sponsored SCR 16 to bring greater public awareness to a disease that is much more common than many realize, and often goes undiagnosed.

“Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease, popularly but incorrectly seen as an allergy to gluten, which results in a variety of digestive symptoms,” Sen. Giessel said. “It is frequently misdiagnosed, based on its symptoms, and can lead to malnutrition in a person who is suffering from it.”

Gluten, mostly from grains like wheat, barley and rye, is used in hundreds of types of food products, often in processed forms that are not obvious.

Celiac disease is frequently associated with other diseases, such as lupus, Addison’s disease, liver disease, and Down’s syndrome, among others. If left undiagnosed and untreated, celiac disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular damage, other autoimmune diseases, diabetes, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, loss of calcium, osteoporosis, lactose intolerance, infertility, intestinal lymphomas and other gastrointestinal cancers, depression, and neurological manifestations.

“I appreciate the State Affairs Committee taking quick action on SCR 16.” Sen. Giessel said. “The goal is to help Alaskans by increasing public awareness of this under-diagnosed disease. Extrapolating from national estimates, there are probably 5,000 Alaskans who could have celiac disease and could be helped by a heightened awareness of it.

To read SCR 16, please go here: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/27/Bills/SCR016A.PDF

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For Immediate Release: Monday, February 06, 2012

Sen. Giessel Advocates for Passage of HR 3407 –

Congressional Act Would Open 3% of ANWR,

Extend OCS Revenue-Sharing to Alaska

(Juneau) – Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, has advocated in support of HR 3407 in written testimony to Congress. The bill by Washington Rep. Doc Hastings would open a total of 400,000 acres, or three percent of the land base within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to exploration and development. Known as the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, HR 3407 would also enact a revenue-sharing provision to give 37.5 percent of revenue generated in Federal off-shore leases to the affected coastal states.

“I was pleased to support HR 3407, which, if passed and signed into law by the president, will finally start the process of putting the vast resources of the Arctic to work for America,” Giessel said.

In her letter to Rep. Hastings, Giessel wrote:

“We know that 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 1002 area is about the size of the state of South Carolina. The specific footprint designated for development is about 3 square miles. Advances in technology will make it possible to access significant resources from this small area.

“Given that the US imports about 49 percent of the oil (2010) it consumes, I believe it is vital that the opportunity for oil and gas development on the Alaska coastal plain be seized.”

Giessel said it is estimated HR 3407 would create 1.2 million jobs, many of them in the energy sector, providing American energy for American consumers. She said the revenue-sharing provisions will make sure Alaska and other coastal states with federal OCS potential will be treated equally with Gulf of Mexico states, which already share in federal revenue generated offshore. The measure has been placed on the calendar of business for the House of Representatives; however, a specific date is yet to be determined.

Contact: House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Doc Hastings, Chair: Spencer Pederson, Crystal Feldman, or Jill Strait: 202-226-9019.

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To read Sen. Giessel’s letter, please go here:  Ltr to Hastings HR 3470 ANWR

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 3, 2012

Sen. Giessel Introduces SB 181 to Support Future Recreation and Development in Girdwood Area

JUNEAU – Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, has introduced legislation to ratify mineral closures by the Department of Natural Resources in two creek drainages in the Girdwood area that are important for recreational development. The bill, SB 181, approves land classifications for the Glacier Creek and Winner Creek drainages, closing those areas to new mineral entry. The classifications do not effect previously filed mineral claims.

“The Alaska Miners Association is in agreement with the DNR commissioner that these drainages are more important to the recreational economy of the Girdwood area and should be set aside for those purposes,” Sen. Giessel said. “As the Senator representing Girdwood, I am pleased to be able to support the Turnagain Arm Management Plan and the community’s interest in expanding recreational opportunities in the valley. This recreation area is enjoyed by Alaskans from throughout the state, and visitors from all over the world, and year-round.”

Both the Alyeska Resort and Girdwood 2020 have submitted statements in support of the mineral closure. Those statements and others from interested stakeholders can be read by going to: http://www.aksenateminority.com/wp-content/uploads/SB-181-Supporting-Ltrs.pdf

The bill withdraws approximately 5,580 acres from mineral entry within the two drainages. Senate Bill 181 is in the Senate Resources committee awaiting a hearing.

To read the DNR mineral closing order, please go here: http://www.aksenateminority.com/wp-content/uploads/SB-181-DNR-Decision-Doc.pdf

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