[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6259920,"mediaKeyId","3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04","parentId",3136675,"title","Senate committee recommends several wildlife and fisheries appointees; one candidate could not be reached","audioSeconds",4527,"startMs",1124000,"endMs",5651000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04&start=1124&end=5651","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04/thumbnail_1124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259920/Alaska/Senate-committee-recommends-several-wildlife-and-fisheries-appointees-one-candidate-could-not-be-reached","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259920-c42f192cc647eedb6130bfaff208f466/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965877&Signature=n4SlgNScnXZM-cQXzbeEB5cuoY~fD9F4IflInXM~wluKNVJGHpSgG3yjua8Te-z8KyziIE5Yvp3Xj9fYK8ivci2XSoGuruJExghrIjVBRp8X4mA05M6DVC7xYMiYRyzz4YzUOIK0LjFKE114cKJn9Hfa0VWLJb9qUT~ZZh3EpRnGElsMGzG~LOVGxv~fuiuOvpvRyLqTd-yUej2tJPP6Sz6pAIpF4GSU7-tgoXKbsyLQrYfu-OEmfK94TBIEtrhQxElV2zV6ZXkGUQSYb-6f1RJEJiCZRSeyeax91VENURIXqP3dqsVfL5ziYWshaq9PtNyGhMPiVOMn1cGjk~~cdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Alaska Senate Resources Committee recommended a slate of governor’s appointees to a joint legislative session on Feb. 25, forwarding the names of Al Barrett and Carrie Ann Mueller to the Board of Game, Rick Green to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, and Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fisheries. The committee’s recommendation was presented at the end of the meeting and will be transmitted for confirmation consideration.

Not all appointees were heard to completion. Samuel Laffey, the appointee to the State Assessment Review Board, attempted to call in from Kenya but experienced connection problems and the committee deferred his interview and attempted contact until the next meeting.

Who was considered and what they said
Al Barrett: Barrett, a Fairbanks resident first appointed July 1, 2022, is a reappointment to the seven‑member Board of Game. In his remarks he said he brings experience in conservation biology, subsistence issues and advisory committee work and described social allocation issues the board handles. Barrett cited a Kodiak example in which transporters ferry large numbers of hunters into small areas, creating local pressure that displaced subsistence hunters: \"...what that impacted was the residents of Old Harbor, with that amount of pressure in that little area that made local residents have to go further into the bush and expend a lot more energy and expense to getting their deer needs met,\" he said. Public supporters included Virgil Umpenauer, who said he had worked with Barrett for more than 20 years and endorsed him, and Mark Richards of Residence Hunters of Alaska, who said Barrett is \"one of the more knowledgeable members on the board.\"

Carrie Ann Mueller: Mueller, a new appointee calling from Palmer, described a long record of volunteer work with Department of Fish and Game programs, hunter education and outdoor‑industry outreach. She told the committee she has hunted in 14 game units and said she is \"committed to following the science and data from our fish and game biologists and staff, listening to the input from the Alaska wildlife troopers and working cohesively with the 82 advisory committees around the state.\" Mark Richards testified in support of Mueller on behalf of his organization.

Rick Green: Green, who said he has served on the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission since July 1 (year not specified in the hearing), told the committee he sought appointment as part of a call to public service. He described the commission as a small agency that is largely self‑funding and said he and the other commissioner have exhausted a backlog of cases and are modernizing the agency’s web and case systems. He told the committee the commission \"brings in almost $7,000,000\" and costs about half that amount, and said he would assist the legislature on any structural changes it sought.

Tom Carpenter: Carpenter, a Cordova resident and the vice chair of the Board of Fisheries, described his work on long regulatory meetings, his role convening the Herring Revitalization Committee and service on the Alaska salmon research task force. Senators questioned Carpenter about letters opposing his reappointment from some advisory groups and about specific decisions on hatchery policy, pollock trawl and allocation questions. Carpenter said he consults peer‑reviewed science and department staff and defended substitute language he offered in Prince William Sound to allow managers flexibility in directing trawl effort to areas with fewer impacts on king salmon and rockfish.

Public testimony and support
Several commercial fishermen and advisory committee members called in to support Carpenter’s reappointment, including Bob Murphy (Kodiak), Dan McDonald (commercial fisherman), Steve Brown (Concerned Area Fishermen), and Robert Ayano (Bristol Bay commercial fisherman). Supporters praised Carpenter’s preparation, leadership and ability to mediate compromise.

Committee action and scheduling
At the conclusion of the meeting the vice chair moved a document recommending the four named appointees be forwarded to a joint session of the legislature for consideration; the motion was recorded as the committee’s recommendation and committee members were asked to sign the document. The chair said the committee will attempt to reconnect with Samuel Laffey and will consider an additional appointee (Erwin) at its next meeting on Monday at 3:30 p.m., when the committee will also hear SJR 18 and SB 174.

Ending
The committee recommended multiple gubernatorial appointees for confirmation consideration and deferred at least one appointment because the candidate could not be reached. The committee scheduled follow‑up on outstanding appointees at its next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/25/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Resources Committee recommended forwarding reappointments and nominations for the Board of Game, Board of Fisheries, and the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to a joint legislative session; the State Assessment Review Board candidate called in from abroad and was not connected.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259924,"Senate committee hears bill to restore Regulatory Commission of Alaska authority over LNG imports",391,700000,1091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04&start=700&end=1091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6259924/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-restore-Regulatory-Commission-of-Alaska-authority-over-LNG-imports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259924-6f33646b4c5d331e9b9ac3fc8335dfca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965877&Signature=Yxv35nAvEsnrcF33pqX8u9gk~Oxc95FZglscPsEjhYamkiJQKTOunsV39rzFLo-XPCUu5so6YgqpTD3PRLnQXxQJoXvvExZADXnGntVgwSPutpVk8L6u2gfhabsEMxN470AKYf-kF1FS3jJtVmemGxn8oKqIWlbr3-ozyYAJ-sFlKJHqbeSaJ1xh02RXZIpXDsT6YE6kTd4L5Ljk~1516qJLuviQwoDplpt99WvqJ84PJvJLCVf6bPlVoc~Xig0s0YD2pNy6jh3aZS4xxAyQCXMFW8l5OT-1x-31mNpcV~I17DsBNA56Ptbpy4iabNwwh6K9DGEqvCFahH3hZ8fNyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 180 received a first hearing Feb. 25 before the Alaska Senate Resources Committee. The bill would repeal AS 42.05.0711(v), returning the Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s (RCA) authority to regulate aspects of liquefied natural gas imports related to gas supply contracts.

Chair Senator Giesel, who introduced the measure on the committee’s behalf, said the change is intended \"to lift a cloud of confusion on RCA jurisdiction over certificated utilities' gas supply contracts from an LNG import terminal.\" She told the committee the amendment passed last session had effectively shifted part of that question toward FERC.

Why the bill matters
Supporters said the repeal clarifies regulatory roles and protects consumers. \"FERC's authority, to be clear, is over facilities, not price of the commodity,\" Senator Giesel said, and the bill, she said, would not expand the RCA’s authority to regulate a privately held import terminal but would allow RCA to oversee gas supply contracts to utilities the agency already regulates.

Committee discussion and background
Committee members asked why the provision was inserted last year. Senator Giesel said the language was added late in the 2024 session as an amendment in House Bill 50, a carbon sequestration bill, and that no committee discussion was held on the insertion. Department and RCA staff were available for questions; staff member Maio Harbison told the committee he had no additional comments, and John Espindola, commissioner and chair of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, joined online for questions.

Action taken
Chair Giesel set the bill aside for committee members to review and to consider later; no committee vote or amendment was recorded during the Feb. 25 hearing.

Ending
Committee staff will circulate materials for committee review. The bill remains at the committee stage pending further consideration.","Senate Bill 180, a first hearing, would repeal a statutory provision inserted last session and return the Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s authority over liquefied natural gas supply contracts; the committee set the bill aside for further consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259928,"Senate committee advances Marathon contract to buy Alaska royalty oil",346,354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04&start=354&end=700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136675-081a484f5eadd791b720d9536ec78f04/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6259928/Alaska/Senate-committee-advances-Marathon-contract-to-buy-Alaska-royalty-oil","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259928-950e1309628cd63747ccb2f982daa168/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965877&Signature=OChhuOSSktWiWXpG~-iBGpkBqbt~yepvGVpavSi2jBGa3ObM9njiprZWflsAlF-QsxxbMYcAhiF6w7QWjSjmpXKU24h-TuztK5I3uQfEsn2UTmD2ozAR0SECa7SSETB2I6gnKu8NGMUytAQDKHcaXR-z7DlqyVIvGrUTwR3n72uD4QBP99kKNXfMzuZRbDyrG0IroOrddLxx-js8dpMl7ADFtnbQjA~AxW2sG4-yvDfGvG57PMgKNEL-EFkl~oHCkyj7w-REeEVYgmaVWl3S9552uDBD06ohbC9PEOdlcd6-8mK~z-~6HujJQQIZgtW2oGt-afvi6lzdGXuieRfXuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alaska Senate Resources Committee on Feb. 25 moved Senate Bill 176 out of committee, advancing legislative approval of a Department of Natural Resources contract to sell Alaska royalty oil to Marathon Petroleum’s Kenai refinery.

The measure approves a negotiated in‑kind sale of state royalty crude to an in‑state refiner and completes the public process that includes a best interest finding by the royalty board and final legislative sign‑off, Ryan Fitzpatrick, commercial manager at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, told the committee.

The bill matters because the contract affects supply to the Kenai Refinery and state receipts tied to royalty production. Casey Sullivan, government and public affairs manager for Marathon Petroleum, told the committee the agreement is a three‑year contract with optional extensions and said the “availability, the flexibility and the stability that this new 3 year contract … will have a positive impact on our ability to optimize our ongoing operations at the Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery.” Sullivan said the refinery can process about 68,000 barrels per calendar day and employs more than 300 full‑time Alaskans.

Committee action and next steps
Senator Wilikowski moved to report SB176 out of committee \"with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes\" and allowed legislative legal to make technical and conforming changes. Chair Senator Giesel recorded \"seeing no objection, the bill is moved from committee.\" The committee did not take a roll‑call vote on the record; the clerk recorded the bill as reported out of committee and staff were asked to prepare transmittal documents for signatures.

What the bill does and what officials said
Fitzpatrick described the legislative step as the final approval in a multistage public process: \"The Department of Natural Resources negotiates contracts with in‑state refiners for the sale of Alaska's royalty oil, in kind to those refineries,\" he said. Fitzpatrick said the contracts are renewed every few years and go through the royalty board's best interest finding before reaching the legislature.

Marathon’s public‑affairs testimony emphasized local operations and jobs. Sullivan said the Kenai Refinery produces transportation fuels and products including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, propane and asphalt and distributes products through terminals at Kenai, the Port of Alaska and North Pole. He asked the committee for support of SB176.

Provenance
The committee heard the bill and Fitzpatrick’s explanation at the start of the hearing. Public testimony from Marathon and the committee motion reporting the bill appear later in the transcript.

Ending
Committee members were asked to remain after the hearing to sign transmittal paperwork. The committee did not amend the bill on the floor of the hearing and recorded the bill as reported out for further consideration in the legislature.","The Senate Resources Committee moved Senate Bill 176 out of committee by unanimous consent, a measure that approves a Department of Natural Resources contract to sell Alaska royalty oil to Marathon Petroleum’s Kenai refinery.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee recommends several wildlife and fisheries appointees; one candidate could not be reached

Senate committee hears bill to restore Regulatory Commission of Alaska authority over LNG imports

Senate committee advances Marathon contract to buy Alaska royalty oil