Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Corner: Making way for LNG while pressing for peninsula improvements

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Natural gas supply and the AKLNG project are big topics of discussion in the Legislature.

Last Thursday morning, Chugach Electric Association, Hilcorp, and Marathon announced the sale of the LNG export dock to Hilcorp and their intent to repurpose the dock to import natural gas. This agreement provides some certainty of natural gas supply for the Marathon refinery and Chugach Electric in the near term.

President Trump’s announcement last Friday of a working relationship with Japan on the AKLNG project is a huge signal of progress for the natural gas pipeline project. AKLNG executives and Glenfarne, the project developers, provided more details this week about their work and what the project means for the Kenai Peninsula and all of Alaska. ENSTAR is working closely with AKLNG to bring this project to life as a long-term solution to the Railbelt’s natural gas shortage. AKLNG is still in negotiations with Glenfarne as a potential project developer. I have met with Glenfarne executives and encouraged them to come to Nikiski and the Kenai Peninsula as soon as they can to talk about the AKLNG terminal and what it will mean for area residents.

Road construction

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

When the AKLNG project happens, the Kenai Peninsula will need significant additional investment in area highways and feeder roads. Currently, there are several major road construction projects on the Kenai Peninsula, including the Cooper Landing Bypass. In addition to the comments I hear from residents on the design and progress of these projects, Alaska’s construction industry has raised significant concerns about the low number of projects the Department of Transportation is putting out to bid. If there isn’t enough work, it can severely impact the health of the construction industry and our economy. This week the department came before the Senate Transportation Committee to discuss the status of projects important to our region and their plan to get projects out to bid in time for the summer season. We know that when AKLNG comes and other developments happen around the state, AKDOT needs to be prepared to provide the road infrastructure and maintenance to support this economic growth.

Recovering from floods

Flooding has become a more frequent and persistent problem on the Kenai Peninsula and across Alaska. Private insurance policies almost never cover flooding, and National Flood Insurance offered through FEMA is expensive and often useless.

Alaskans pulling together can take care of our own. That’s why I’ve cosponsored Senate Bill 11. It creates an Alaska-based flood self-insurance program that will cover the flood costs that Alaskans face when rebuilding following a flood. This program created in this bill would empower Alaskans to take care of ourselves when the federal government won’t.

I am honored to be your state senator and I want to hear from you. You’re welcome to call my office at 907-283-7996 or email me at Sen.Jesse.Bjorkman@akleg.gov. I hope you’ll take the time to share your questions and ideas.

More in Opinion

Homer Port Director Bryan Hawkins. (Photo provided)
Opinion: The importance of the Homer Harbor expansion

Alaska’s marine trades and service businesses must be on a competitive playing field with other ports and harbors.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: HB 69 moves forward, fixes still needed

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Advisors to the president should be held to the same conflict of interest standards as members of Congress

Musk’s role reminds me of a policy adopted some years ago by members of Congress — both the House and Senate.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Town halls and transportation issues on the agenda

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Serving Alaskans: How my office can help you

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell speaks at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: KPC offers opportunities and transforms lives

For over 60 years, KPC has created career pathways and served as a trusted community partner.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Making way for LNG while pressing for peninsula improvements

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.