In support of governor’s veto

To the editor:

I write to you today asking you to support the expected governor’s veto of House Bill 132.

Most borough assembly members have spoken in support of this position, but we will not have time to vote on it before the end of the legislative session. Among members of the public there is also strong support, unlike any other major issue, for a veto. Some compelling reasons include:

• Keeping the borough’s efforts alive to develop gas project proposals by REI, Wes-Pac or the possibility of serving as a terminal for an AK LNG or ASAP line that will be lost if HB 132 becomes law.

• We need to retain all options for Mat-Su and Port MacKenzie as well as the state of Alaska. HB 132 gives away the state’s constitutional authority to producers preventing the state from exercising options to access and market its own resources.

• If just one partner within AK LNG leaves for any reason everything gets delayed for at least two years or more, and current potential developments may evaporate during the delay.

As legislators from the Mat-Su, I’m sure you understand the gravity of the situation.

Please give full consideration to the strong public support to retain our options and economic opportunities that will flow from a veto of HB 132. We simply cannot afford to allow HB 132 to become law.

Thank you in advance for making the right choice, as it is absolutely essential for the Mat-Su.

Note: this letter reflects my opinion only, as the borough assembly has not taken an official position on the matter.

Jim Sykes

Lazy Mountain

Editor’s note: Jim Sykes sent a copy of this letter to Gov. Bill Walker, Mat-Su Borough Assembly members Matthew Beck, Ron Arvin, Steve Colligan, Dan Mayfield, Barbara Doty and Vern Halter, Mat-Su Manager John Moosey, Mayor Larry DeVilbiss, and other legislators and members of the press.