Senator George Rauscher

Today, President Trump announced plans for a $54 billion South Korean investment in the Alaska LNG project. This is a historic step toward bringing North Slope gas to Alaskans. I've been a supporter of the gas line since the beginning.

The proposal is part of a broader package of up to $200 billion in South Korean investments across the United States, including a natural gas power plant in Texas and plans for eight new nuclear power plants.

Read more here:

Trump Unveils $54B Korean Investment in Alaska LNG Project On Wednesday, President Donald Trump unveiled a $54 billion commitment from Korean investors to build the Alaska LNG pipeline and liquefaction project...

This is your opportunity to provide public input. Comments are due by October 30, 2026.

Public comment opportunity: The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has received an application from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough for a cooperative resource management agreement to facilitate the construction and management of a shooting range and related facilities within the Jonesville Public Use Area near Slipper Lake in Sutton, Alaska.

Comments are due by October 30. Learn more on the Alaska Online Public Notice System: http://notice.alaska.gov/225313

I was able to visit the Menard Sports Center yesterday for the 18th Annual Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo. I met with fire departments, EMS, Borough officials, utilities, and many others who shared a wide range of ideas on how to survive and prepare for different disaster scenarios: from power outages and flooding to fires, fire prevention, earthquakes, and more.

After the Expo, I made it to the Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Point Mackenzie for the new residential expansion which doubled the residential capacity from 26 to 52 beds. These are much needed beds for Alaskans who are working to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

The annual Coal Miner’s Ball in Sutton was also last night, with great food, great conversation, and great prizes at the silent auction. At the ball, we inducted many people who have helped support the mining effort in our area over the years. We have many coal mining exhibits, including a Coal Miners Exhibit in Sutton that displays the faces and stories of the miners at the Sutton/Alpine Historical Museum. Please come and visit!

It was a great day, and I’m proud to support the dedicated people and organizations whose work makes the Mat-Su Valley and all of Alaska a stronger, safer, and more resilient place to call home.

Yesterday, I returned from the Annual Energy Council meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we learned a great deal about innovative ideas for energy. On the agenda were hydro projects, water, production innovations, nuclear reactors, energy, marketing and understanding New Mexico’s challenges in the energy field.

Just as New Mexico is working to address the challenges of its changing energy landscape, Alaska must continue finding practical, innovative ways to deliver reliable and affordable energy to communities across our vast state. The conversations and ideas shared at the meeting will help inform that work.

Yesterday during our Senate Transportation Committee meeting, the DOT provided an update on the 2027–2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and several important projects are planned or underway right here in Senate District O.

Work includes the Talkeetna Spur Highway realignment to address ongoing bluff erosion; continued improvements in the Long Lake area, including a chain-link curtain and ditch system to help keep falling rock off the highway; and a new Muddy Creek bridge near Mile 94, scheduled to begin construction in 2027, that will allow mud and debris to pass beneath the highway.

At Mile 116 of the Parks Highway, near the Gunsight Mountain area, the roadway has required repeated patchwork over the years, including repairs in 2017, 2019, and 2022. DOT&PF indicated that approximately $630,000 is now needed to properly address the problem area rather than continuing with temporary asphalt repairs.

Additional projects include rehabilitation of the Parks Highway and Nancy Bridge between Mileposts 57–70, improvements to Big Lake Road from Mileposts 3.6–9.1, and safety and traffic-flow improvements along the Parks Highway between Mileposts 52–57.

These are important investments in the roads and infrastructure our communities rely on every day.

The public comment period for the Draft 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program is open through October 29, 2026.

You can view the documents and comment here:

https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/cip/stip/

If you missed the meeting, you can watch it live here:

https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/senate-transportation-committee-2026091006/?eventID=2026091006

⚡ WHAT MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ROLLING POWER OUTAGES THIS WINTER

There has been increased discussion about the possibility of rolling power outages in Southcentral Alaska this winter, and we want our members to have the facts.

MEA has secured 100% of our natural gas needs for our members this winter. However, if extreme cold creates natural gas constraints across the broader Southcentral system, utilities may be asked to take steps to help conserve available gas.

The most important thing to know: Rolling Service Interruptions are not the first response to a natural gas supply concern. They are a last-resort emergency measure.

Before reaching that point, utilities have several other options, including asking for voluntary conservation, utilizing hydro resources and power purchases, and transitioning MEA’s Eklutna Generation Station from natural gas to diesel. Only if those measures were not enough to protect the larger energy system would controlled, temporary Rolling Service Interruptions be considered.

Being prepared for an emergency does not mean we expect one to occur. We’ve put together a news article explaining the Energy Watch program, what could trigger it, and the steps that would happen before rolling outages would ever be initiated.

🔗 Read more: https://www.mea.coop/news/understanding-winter-energy-watch-and-rolling-service-interruptions

Yesterday, I attended the Matanuska Electric Association’s (MEA) “Brats and Watts” event which was also hosted by the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce, before attending the Trapper Creek Community Council meeting, to hear how MEA has positioned itself to deal with the lack of gas availability this winter.

MEA explained how gas availability has affected its costs, which in turn affect ratepayers’ electricity costs. They also explained how they are prepared for a gas shortage by being able to convert back and forth to diesel when necessary.

They provided a list of ways MEA has diversified its portfolio to ensure they reduced the possibility of brownouts or blackouts, including solar, hydro, gas, and diesel.

MEA has extended its firm gas contracts out to 2029 and have also stated that they are willing to lend gas from their storage to Enstar should Enstar come up short this winter.

The price of gas will affect ratepayers quarterly, and will see 5% increases on their bill each year.

Thank you to MEA and the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce for hosting this informative event, and for taking the time to explain MEA’s plans to help ensure reliable electricity for our communities this winter.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a proposal to convey approximately 885 acres of State-owned land in the Mat-Su Borough near Port MacKenzie to AIDEA for future rail-support and cargo logistics facilities.

Written comments are due by Wednesday, October 21, 2026 by 5 pm

You can comment on the Preliminary Decision by submitting written comments to the online public comment portal at:
https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/comment/subscribe/?topic=pmre-conveyance

By electronic mail:
[email protected].

Comments can also be submitted by facsimile at 907-269-8904

By mail:
550 W. 7th Ave. Ste. 1050, Anchorage, AK, 99501. If you have questions, call

Read the notice here:

dnr.alaska.gov

239 years ago, on September 17, 1787, the Framers of our nation sought to create a foundation that could endure through the ages. From the heat of debate and the wisdom of foresight, the Constitution of the United States was born.

It was a document crafted not just to govern, but to protect freedom, balance power, and give voice to the people. Its words were precise, yet durable enough to guide a growing country through storms and triumphs alike. As the years passed, amendments refined its vision, proving its strength came from both its principles and its adaptability.

The Constitution stands as a timeless promise and a guardian of liberty and justice for all.

Alaska DOT&PF has released its Draft 2027–2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), outlining proposed federally funded investments in roads, bridges, ferries, transit, trails, and community access across Alaska.

The public comment period is open September 14 through October 29, 2026.

How to submit comments:

ONLINE: at dot.alaska.gov/links/pdp

EMAIL: [email protected]

VOICEMAIL: 1 (855) 925-2801, use Project Code 10968

TEXT: 1 (855) 925-2801 (Type "STIP" to start your message)

TTY: 711 or 1-800-770-8973 to reach the Alaska Relay

MAIL: STIP Team, Alaska DOT&PF
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 295
Anchorage, AK 99501

Experience