Alaska Senate Passes Natural Gas Pricing Bill

0:00It's April 1st. This is Anchorage News Today, AI-powered stories from your sitting. I'm Cory with the story. Alaska Senate unanimously advanced Senate Bill 180 on Tuesday, giving clear authority to state regulators over pricing for imported natural gas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission handles construction and sight approvals for these import facilities. But the Regulatory Commission of Alaska ensures utilities pay just and reasonable rates for the gas. These projects target South Central Alaska, where one facility could supply about a third of the region's yearly needs and the other up to 100, 55 percent, with delivery starting in 2027 and 2029. Anchorage Senator Kathy Gazelle, who sponsored the bill, stressed that fixes confusion from a recent law tweak and protects ratepayers with the lowest, possible power and heating bills. Now a move to the House for Review, setting the stage for stable energy costs as Alaska eyes these big imports.