Governor of Alaska
editThird Special Session 2015
editThe governor called in the 29th Legislature of the State of Alaska into the third special session of 2015 that ran from October 24 to November 5th, 2015 to discuss natural gas reserves. Governor Walker wanted to buyout TransCanada's share of a 800 mile natural gas pipeline that runs from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet at Nikiski at the export terminal. The prices for the gas at the terminal would range from $45 to $65 billion. The pipeline is expected to produce 5% of the world's natural gas.
On Thursday, November 5th, 2015, Governor Walker made his first major accomplishment since being elected governor in 2014 by signing the buyout bill for TransCanada's quarter share in the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (AKLNG) project. Alaska's share of the project will cost the state $12 to $18 billion to construct in return for the one-quarter share for what it produces, which estimates that the state will make $1 to $1.2 billion per year when gas starts flowing. The project is expected to open up around 10,000 construction jobs if work begins in the 2020's like planned. Due to the low oil prices in 2015, however, Alaska is looking at a $4 billion per year deficit. Budget cuts and raised taxes will be put into place to help support this. Governor Walker hopes to release his budget for this next fiscal year, July 1st to June 30th, 2016, by December 15th, 2015.[1][2][3][4]
- ^ Brooks, James (November 5, 2015). "Done deal: Walker signs bill buying out TransCanada's share of pipeline". Juneau Empire. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ State, of Alaska (November 5, 2015). "3rd Special Session Capitol Updates". The Alaska State Legislature. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ Associated, Press (September 24, 2015). "Gas pipeline is focus of Alaska special session". FuelFix. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ^ State, of Alaska. "Governor Walker Appoints AGDC Board Members". The Alaska State of Alaska. Retrieved October 28, 2015.