Must Read Alaska

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Read more from industry leaders: mustreadalaska.com/industry-leade…

Industry Leaders React to SB 280 version L: “Investors across the nation and around the world are watching” (The following is a reprint of a press release as provided by Lauren Giliam, Thompson & Co. PR.) May 15, 2026 (Anchorage, Alaska)– The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Alaska Chamber of Commerce, and Resource Development Council for Alaska today raised serious concerns regarding the Senate Resources Committee substitute for SB 280, warning the legislation would now impose sweeping oil tax increases without meaningful economic analysis, public vetting, or a clear understanding of the consequences for Alaska’s economy, investment climate, and future energy development. The latest proposal adds a new 30-cent-per-barrel tax on every barrel of oil produced in Alaska and increases the minimum production tax by 50 percent. What began as legislation intended to help advance a long-term gasline solution for Alaska has now been transformed into a major oil tax increase that risks undermining both current oil production and the very investment environment necessary to support a future gasline project. “Alaska’s oil and gas industry makes investment decisions on projects that require billions of dollars in capital and development timelines measured in decades,” said Steve Wackowski, president and CEO of AOGA. “Rushed and unvetted changes to Alaska’s fiscal system create uncertainty that investors price directly into their decisions. Ironically, legislation now titled the ‘Supporting Alaska Gasline Act’ moves Alaska in the opposite direction by undermining the stable investment climate required to advance both a successful gasline project and future North Slope development.” Read more from industry leaders with link in reply! @GovDunleavy @alaska_senate @AKSenRepublican @AKHCoalition @AKHouseGOP @AOGA @alaskachamber

Full story: mustreadalaska.com/update-sb-280-…

Update: SB 280 version L Hits Oil & Gas with 4 New Taxes By Natalie Spaulding With 5 days left in the legislative session, the Alaska State Senate Resources Committee is investing much of their time on Senate Bill 280, a 7-page bill originally introduced to provide the Oil & Gas industry with tax breaks in order to encourage investment in the Alaska LNG project. After a string of amendments and rewrites, the now 52-page-long bill, SB 280 version L, now hits the Oil & Gas industry with four new taxes. Rather than appeal to investors, the State has prioritized driving its own revenue. The new taxes now included in SB 280 are an alternative volumetric tax (ATV), tax on pass-through entities, an infrastructure maintenance surcharge, and a raised minimum tax floor. The ATV would apply at rates of $0.06/mcf for gas treatment plant or carbon capture facility throughput before throughput exceeds 250 million cubic feet per day, increasing to $0.10/mcf after that threshold is reached. The tax would also apply at rates of $0.06/mcf for pipeline throughput before throughput exceeds 250 million cubic feet per day, increasing to $0.15/mcf after that threshold is reached. Finally, the tax would apply at a rate of $0.15/mcf for LNG plant throughput beginning at commencement of commercial operations. Rates would be adjusted annually for inflation based on CPI for urban Alaska. Full story in reply! @GovDunleavy @AOGA @alaska_senate @AlaskaSenate @AKHCoalition @AKHouseGOP

Get the deets: mustreadalaska.com/while-juneau-d…

While Juneau Debates, Big Lake Builds: The Alaska Homestead Expo Returns Memorial Day Weekend By Sonia Laughland While the legislature burns through another session arguing about the budget, a few thousand Alaskans will spend Memorial Day weekend doing something more useful. They will be learning to feed themselves. The 3rd Annual Alaska Homestead Expo & Marketplace runs May 22–23 at the Big Lake Lions Club, organized by Common Ground Alaska. Common Ground Alaska is a teaching farmstead that has been quietly building something the State can’t seem to figure out— a community of Alaskans committed to real food, practical skills, and genuine independence. No task force needed. No line item. Just people showing up. Get all the details with link in reply!

Continue reading: mustreadalaska.com/opinion-repeal…

Opinion: Repeal of Biden-era Public Land Rule Restores Essential Alaskan Right By Sarah Montalbano On May 11, the Department of the Interior finalized the repeal of the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, better known as the Public Lands Rule. In 2023, when the Biden administration’s BLM first proposed the rule, my colleague at Independent Women, Gabriella Hoffman, and I argued in the Wall Street Journal that it exceeded BLM’s authority and would undermine the effective management of 245 million acres of public land. The Biden administration finalized it despite bipartisan objections from Western states, including Alaska. The Trump administration has now reversed it, and the legal and policy case for doing so is strong. Continue reading with link in reply! @BLMAlaska @BLMNational @SarahMontalban0 @IWF

Read AOGA's statement: mustreadalaska.com/alaska-oil-gas…

Alaska Oil & Gas Association Calls Legislature Out on SB 280 Hijack By Natalie Spaulding On May 14, 2026, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) issued a statement condemning the Senate Resources Committee’s rewriting of Senate Bill 280. SB 280 began as a bill intended to drive investment in the Alaska LNG project, but a long series of committee meetings have since turned it into a State revenue driver. The bill is currently on version L. Senate Resources is scheduled to revisit the bill 6 more times before the end of the session. Read AOGA's statement with link in reply! @AOGA @alaska_senate @AKSenRepublican @AKHCoalition @AKHouseGOP @GovDunleavy @TMLindley_AK

Full story: mustreadalaska.com/dunleavy-appoi…

Dunleavy Appoints Stephen Cox as Counsel to the Governor By Natalie Spaulding Governor Dunleavy appointed Stephen Cox as his Counsel to the Governor today, May 14, 2026, after the Legislature voted against his confirmation as Attorney General. Arguments in support of Cox’s confirmation as Attorney General focused mainly on his qualifications. Arguments in opposition focused mainly on political and ethical disagreements. A press release from Dunleavy’s office emphasized Cox’s “extensive legal and public policy experience and proven record of defending Alaska’s interests both at home and on the national level.” As Counsel to the Governor, Cox will work closely with the Department of Law and other executive branch departments to provide counsel on policy initiatives, legislation, and executive actions. Full story in reply!

Full story: mustreadalaska.com/stephen-cox-no…

Stephen Cox Not Confirmed as Attorney General By Natalie Spaulding Today, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the Alaska State Legislature voted on the confirmation of Attorney General Stephen Cox. Cox was not confirmed, receiving 31 nays to 29 yeas. Stephen Cox was appointed by Governor Dunleavy to fill the vacancy left by Candidate for Governor Treg Taylor. The Legislature was originally scheduled to vote on Cox’s confirmation on Thursday, May 7, but delayed the vote by a week after a contentious set of confirmation hearings. Representative Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage) spoke in opposition to the confirmation of Stephen Cox. His opposition focused on AG Cox’s creation of Solicitor General position and the hiring of Jenna Lorence. Gray emphasized that Lorence had no previous relationship with the State of Alaska. “I believe Stephen Cox would make a good Attorney General in a state, just not our State.” Full story in reply!

AMAC Action Hosts “Truth About Trawling” and “Update on Healthcare” Thurs May 21 mustreadalaska.com/amac-action-ho…

Read Borromeo's statement: mustreadalaska.com/president-of-a…

President of ANSCA Regional Association Issues Statement After Legislature Unanimously Passes 8a Program Resolution By Natalie Spaulding President of the ANCSA Regional Association, Nicole Borromeo, issued the following statement after Monday’s unanimous passage of House Joint Resolution 44 which declares the State’s support for the continued participation of Alaska Native Corporations (ANC) in the Small Business Administration's 8a program. The joint resolution also urges President Donald Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the Small Business Administration to oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken participation by ANCs in the 8a program. Read Borromeo's statement with link in reply! @alaska_senate @AKHCoalition @SBAgov @DonaldTrump @DanSullivan_AK @RepNickBegich @lisamurkowski

Read Borromeo's statement: mustreadalaska.com/president-of-a…

Continue reading: mustreadalaska.com/opinion-why-i-…

Opinion: Why I Am Running for Chugach Electric Board of Directors By Todd M. Lindley To borrow from a regular contributor of the Alaska Landmine, Mr. Brad Keithley, this chart may shed some light on the reality of Southcentral electric power as it relates to Chugach Electric. The chart illustrates a relative comparison of inflation, electric rates, and sales of the last five years presented at a townhall on March 24, 2026. An unsustainable trend is forming especially given our modest overall population increase in the same timeframe. The central question for the upcoming Chugach Electric election on May 29 is what path will the board of directors take to improve affordability? As a candidate running for one of the two board seats up for election, I believe this path should be based operational excellence and transparency. During the townhall, CEO Arthur Miller pointed multiple times to initiatives within the co-op to improve internal process that provide paths to partnership with other co-ops on the Railbelt as well as focusing on the natural gas portfolio to manage risk. I agree with both of these positions. Natural gas makes up over 80% of the energy portfolio and before any discussion of an ‘energy transition’ can occur, we must pursue every contracted means to secure this fuel source. Continue reading with link in reply! @TMLindley_AK @toddak_cea @chugachelectric