Serving Muldoon and
Northeast Anchorage

Representative
PETE PETERSEN
Visit my Website
Write me an email

Contact my office:
State Capitol Bldg.
4th Floor, Room 422
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-4939

Contact the Governor
Governor Parnell's Anchorage office may be reached at 269-7450, or e-mail him at sean.parnell@alaska.gov
You can also visit the state website at www.state.ak.us

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

March 12, 2011

Anchorage Caucus Meetings Coming Up; Energy Committee Hears Important Energy Bill; Petersen Bills on the Move

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Anchorage Caucus Meetings Coming Up

     I will be home in Anchorage the next two weekends for meetings of the Anchorage Caucus, of which I am a co-chair.  In addition to the public hearing scheduled for Saturday March 26th from 10am to 1pm at the Assembly Chambers in the Loussac Library, we have added a second meeting on Saturday March 19 from 10 am to noon in the same location.  The Anchorage Caucus consists of all of the legislators representing the Anchorage area so these will be great opportunities to share your ideas and concerns with the Anchorage delegation.

Representative Petersen chairing a meeting of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Permanent Motor Vehicle and Trailer Registration

Energy Committee Hears Important Legislation

    In the Energy Committee we have spent the last month considering House Bill 103 which would allow the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to pursue new power projects.  The proposed Watana hydroelectric dam on the Susitna River is the biggest project being considered, but this bill does not address any specific projects.  Last year we passed a statewide energy policy setting a goal for Alaska to produce 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, and Governor Parnell has identified the AEA as the agency best suited to oversee these new renewable energy projects. 

     The Watana/ Susitna project is still years away from being built, and there are several issues that need to be resolved.  There are disputes about the true number of fish that would be affected by the dam, and it is important that a comprehensive study be conducted to accurately determine the fish population so that an informed decision can be made.  And as the Japanese earthquake reminds us, earthquakes must always be considered and we must make sure that the dam could handle a major earthquake without causing a devastating flood.

    HB 103 will give the AEA the authority to conduct feasibility studies to answer these questions, and to pursue smaller scale projects as well.  The Energy Committee passed this bill out and now it will be considered by the House Finance Committee.

State House members showing solidarity for Representative Sharon Cissna who will be testifying before the U.S. Congress about here recent experience with airport security.  Representatives put their hands over their heads as required by the new TSA body scanners.

Petersen Bills Moving Along

     On Tuesday the House State Affairs Committee passed out House Bill 92, my bill to honor Hmong veterans who fought for the U.S. during the Vietnam War, with strong bipartisan support.  This bill now goes to the Finance Committee for consideration.

    HCR 1 declaring November 2011 to be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month passed out of the Health and Social Services Committee on Thursday.  I was asked to introduce this resolution by one of our neighbors in Northeast Anchorage who lost her father to pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer, and unfortunately there have been little advancement in the survival rates for this cancer.  I am hoping that this resolution can play a small part in helping raise awareness for this deadly disease.  I expect the resolution to voted on by the whole House soon.

    My bill to ensure that consumers receive refunds from utilities in a timely fashion, HB 39, will be heard by the House Energy Committee on Thursday March 17.

    We have a little more than a month left in the session, and as always I want to hear from you about what is important to you.  Please call or email me with any ideas, thoughts, or concerns.

Sincerely,

P.S. Remember to get your PFD application in by March 31, you can apply online here.

Representative Pete Petersen
District 19 - Muldoon & Northeast Anchorage
State Capitol, Room 422
Phone: 907-465-4939
Fax: 907-465-2418
Representative_Pete_Petersen@legis.state.ak.us