House Resources Committee revises governor’s Alaska LNG bill, seeking more revenue

An Alaska House committee has made significant changes to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bill for the Alaska LNG megaproject, proposing a smaller tax break designed to generate more revenue for local communities and the state.

The new measure in the House Resources Committee, which passed Monday without objection, comes after the Senate Resources Committee last week adopted its own substitute bill that seeks to raise the most revenue of the three proposals.

Dunleavy introduced his measure in March, seeking to support the project by replacing state and local property taxes with a much smaller “alternative volumetric tax” based on the amount of gas flow.

Resources committees in both chambers have spent weeks studying Dunleavy’s bill before presenting their substitutes, with the idea that a break on property taxes could help quickly bring the project to fruition. Project officials have said they could start laying pipe this year, though there has no been final investment decision approving construction.

Alaska LNG is the latest version of several projects that over the last half-century have tried to tap the state’s vast stores of natural gas on the remote North Slope.

The project’s high cost has always been a barrier. It’s currently estimated at $46 billion, though critics believe it will be far more expensive.

The project proposes shipping natural gas in an 800-mile pipeline for use in Southcentral Alaska starting in 2029.

Project backers say a gas treatment plant and a gas liquefaction plant would be built next so gas can also be exported overseas to big Asian buyers, starting in 2031.

Alaska leaders consider the project important for the state’s future economic growth.

Lawmakers are grappling with finding the right balance to support the project while still ensuring that Alaska communities can earn enough revenue to deal with impacts from the potential influx of thousands of workers.

Jeff Turner, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said the project could save Alaska households $1,450 per year on energy bills, versus anticipated costs for imported gas. The administration and House Resources are “working productively on streamlining the bill,” he said.

“There are only three weeks left for lawmakers to pass a clean, straightforward LNG volumetric tax bill that incentivizes the project’s finances,” he said. “Weighing the bill down with conditions and additional taxes make the pipeline far less likely to happen. If lawmakers want the project to go forward they need to focus on fixing the state’s existing property tax which has some of the highest rates in the world.”

Larry Persily, an oil and gas analyst and former Alaska deputy commissioner of revenue, said the House and Senate versions are similar enough that even with just three weeks left in the session, lawmakers have time to pass a single version.

“It’s a lot of work, but they are on a similar path in that the governor’s proposal is inadequate in the eyes of the Legislature and the communities,” he said. “But three weeks is an eternity when you want to accomplish something.”

The committee’s co-chair, Rep. Robyn Niayuq Frier, D-Utqiagvik, said during the hearing that the substitute is a “working document” that will receive its next hearing on Wednesday, and possible amendments.

Like the proposal in the Senate, the new House substitute would retain the governor’s proposed volumetric tax.

Dunleavy had proposed taxing the gas flowing through the full project at 6 cents for every 1,000 cubic feet, which would bring in about $75 million annually for state and local revenues. That’s far below the $1 billion annually the project could receive in property taxes under existing state law.

The House substitute proposes taxing gas flowing through the pipe at 5 cents for every 1,000 cubic feet, generating about $65 million a year for local and state revenues.

But separately, it also would tax the gas flow through the gas treatment plant at 5 cents per 1,000 cubic feet, and the liquefied natural gas plant at 10 cents per 1,000 cubic feet, generating more revenue to Alaska communities, according to a summary of the bill.

The House substitute sets a quicker timeline for that revenue to start, compared to the governor’s bill.

The House substitute also gives the North Slope and Kenai Peninsula boroughs the option to replace the volumetric tax with an equity stake in the project.

The North Slope Borough would be home to the gas treatment plant.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough would be home to the large plant that makes liquefied natural gas, or LNG, so the gas could be exported overseas to large Asian buyers.

In addition to those significant additions, both those boroughs would also have a portion of the pipeline in their backyard.

The amount of revenue the substitute might generate for the state and local communities was not presented in the hearing Monday.

Officials with the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., a minority partner in the project alongside 75% owner Glenfarne, said in the hearing that the substitute bill has some positive attributes for the project and represents progress toward a final investment decision.

But they added that it poses some challenges due to its higher take on the project than the governor has proposed.

“It will create more of a challenge in terms of the economics of the project as more taxes are placed on project,” said Frank Richards, head of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., at the hearing.

Richards also urged the Legislature to act quickly, saying the state faces an energy crisis as locally produced gas from Cook Inlet wanes.

“The timeline is very, very short,” he said.

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‘The Boroughs’ Topped Nielsen Charts With 1.7 Billion Minutes 3 Weeks Before Cancellation

“The Boroughs” reached the top of the Nielsen streaming charts in its first full week of availability, three weeks before getting canceled at Netflix.

The sci-fi series, from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and produced by the Duffer Brothers, climbed to No. 1 in the week of May 25 with 1.74 billion minutes, up 45% from the previous week where it landed at No. 2 — behind Netflix’s “Nemesis.”

The show picked up some younger audiences after finding more attention from older viewers in its debut week, increasing from 11% among adults 18-34 to 15%. Still, its audience remained concentrated in the 50+ range, per Nielsen data, with 31% among the 50-64 range.

The show boasted strong ratings in its debut, like most Netflix shows upon their release, but the streamer opted not to pursue a Season 2 citing low audience retention and high production costs. The cancellation sparked public backlash from fans and series stars Geena Davis and Denis O’Hare.

The series featured an ensemble cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Jena Malone and others. It centered on a friend group at a retirement community working together to uncover a dark conspiracy in their midst.

Prime Video and MGM+ series “Spider-Noir,” from Sony Pictures Television, premiered on May 25 and landed the No. 4 spot on the overall charts, behind perennial hits “Bluey” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” with 851 million minutes. Paramount’s “Dutton Ranch” made it to No. 6 overall and No. 3 in the streaming originals chart with a series high of 782 million minutes.

Also of note was Apple TV’s “Your Friends and Neighbors” reaching its highest ranking to date at No. 8 on the originals chart with Season 2’s penultimate episode, reaching 387 million minutes.

Hulu’s “The Testaments,” a sequel series of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” made its debut on the chart with the drop of its Season 1 finale gathering 377 million minutes — the series had already been renewed for Season 2 by then.

The post ‘The Boroughs’ Topped Nielsen Charts With 1.7 Billion Minutes 3 Weeks Before Cancellation appeared first on TheWrap.

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What’s next for the former Alexander High School teacher facing 27 counts

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Douglasville teacher faces 27 criminal counts

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – Former Alexander High School biology teacher and football administrator Maris Nichols faced a judge Thursday morning as she deals with 27 criminal counts.

Maris Nichols indicted

What we know:

Former Alexander High School teacher Maris Nichols faces 27 counts including child molestation, grooming of a minor, electronic distribution of obscene materials and sexual exploitation of children.

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Alexander High School in Douglas County

The court documents detail explicit encounters with at least seven students between January and May. Prosecutors allege Nichols engaged in sexual intercourse, filmed explicit videos with a minor and sent nude photographs to teenagers. She is accused having sex with a student in a school closet and on a truck at a golf course community.

It remains unclear how many total students may have been impacted beyond the students identified in the indictment.

What they’re saying:

Family psychiatrist Dr. Savat Bargabay noted that these cases often stem from a desire for power and control rather than sexual driving forces.

“In fact, most cases of where people are victimized through sexual assault is not about the sex,” Bargabay said. “It has to do with other things that drive that person to want to have power, control.”

Teacher Maris Nichols makes court appearance

The Douglas County teacher accused of repeated sexual misconduct with multiple high school students is back in custody after being indicted by a grand jury. She appeared in court on Thursday morning and will be back in court on Monday. Kevyn Stewart reporting.

Alexander High School accusations

The backstory:

The 25-year-old Nichols was initially arrested on May 8 and released on a $40,000 bond after being charged with two counts of sexual contact. Investigators later uncovered additional victims, leading to a second arrest on May 20 and a total bond increase to $74,000.

As part of that bond, the former biology teacher was required to stay away from the alleged victim, avoid Alexander High School, have no contact with unrelated minors, undergo a mental health evaluation and remain on house arrest except for approved activities.

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Maris Nichols (Douglas County Schools)

During a 27-day period, authorities say Nichols committed 38 home curfew violations and 47 inclusion zone violations. In addition, investigators uncovered additional allegations of criminal conduct.

Nichols was arrested again on May 20 on a wave of new charges. Despite prosecutors arguing she should remain behind bars, she was granted an increased bond. Tightened bond restrictions were put into place, including an absolute ban on internet access, social media and any contact with minors except her own 6-year-old daughter.

According to the warrants, detectives repeatedly referenced claims that students threatened to expose an alleged OnlyFans account in exchange for favorable grades. Investigators sought extensive records from the platform, including account information, communications, uploaded content, payment records, IP addresses and earnings data.

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Maris Nichols (Douglas County Schools)

New arrest warrant issued

What’s next:

On Wednesday, authorities issued a new arrest warrant ordering law enforcement to return the former educator to jail without bond.

As of early Thursday morning, jail records indicated Nichols was back in custody with an arrest date of June 25 and no bond.

FULL VIDEO: Former teacher Maris Nichols makes court appearance

Nichols also made her first court appearance Thursday morning on the new indictment. During the brief hearing, her attorney waived a formal reading of the arrest warrant and acknowledged that the case is now under the jurisdiction of Douglas County Superior Court because of the grand jury indictment.

The judge advised Nichols of her constitutional rights before ordering the case transferred to Superior Court, where previously scheduled motion hearings remain set for Monday before Judge Cynthia Adams Wallace. No bond was considered during Thursday’s hearing because the case has already been bound over to Superior Court.

The hearing on June 29 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Her arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 4.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered from court documents and authorities, who detailed the grand jury indictment, listed the specific criminal charges and detailed the subsequent bond violations committed by the accused. The original story was updated Thursday morning with the information that she is back in custody. This story also included statements from the presiding judge and insights from family psychiatrist Dr. Savat Bargabay.

Douglas County News Crime and Public Safety Instastories

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Brooklyn Beckham twins with father-in-law in birthday celebrations amid family rift

Brooklyn Beckham, 27, was all smiles as he joined wife, Nicola Peltz, 31, and her loved ones for a special family celebration this week – marking a milestone birthday as his relationship to his own parents only worsens.

The close-knit family gathered at their Florida home to celebrate Nelson’s 83rd birthday, with Nicola sharing a series of touching photographs from the occasion on social media with fans.

One snap was a portrait featuring Nelson surrounded by his children including sons Zach, Diesel, Will, Bradley and Greg, as well as Nicola and Brooklyn. The family all wore matching cowboy hats, as they looked close and relaxed, with Brooklyn seemingly a solid member of the Peltz clan.