Legislature to pause for annual D.C. energy conference

Nearly all are traveling at state expense.

The Legislature is essentially shutting down midday Wednesday. By the time lawmakers return on Monday, March 8, the 90-day legislative session that many complain is too short will have reached its 49th day.

Hundreds of bills are still awaiting action including proposals to create a college scholarship program, ban drivers from talking on cell phones, and give oil companies big tax breaks. Most bills are doomed anyway, but legislators say others just need debate and testimony to smooth out kinks.

Not everyone likes the fact the Legislature shuts down -- a practice that may be unique to Alaska among the 11 energy-producing states that belong to The Energy Council, the conference's host.

But then, Alaska usually sends the biggest contingent of state legislators to the March conference, which focuses on federal issues, according to the council's executive director, Lori Cameron.

Five Canadian provinces and the nation of Venezuela also belong to The Energy Council. The 35-year-old organization is based in Dallas, but is so under the radar it doesn't have a Web site. A 12th state, North Dakota, is joining this year.

Texas, the most populous state in the group, probably is sending about a half dozen lawmakers, Cameron said.

Alaska lawmakers who go to Washington say the trip is well worth it because of the chance to learn about new technologies and trends, and to air Alaska issues face-to-face with top federal energy officials and members of Congress.

"They told us three years ago that Arctic gas projects were in trouble," said state Rep. Jay Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican who sits on the House Special Committee on Energy and said he may end up paying his own way.

The conference attendees heard about new forms of natural gas being developed in the Lower 48 "before it was even a whiff in the mainstream media," Ramras said.

COST OF TRAVEL

While this year's costs aren't yet known, last March the Legislature paid $59,489 for 26 Alaska lawmakers to go to The Energy Council conference, said Karla Schofield, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Agency.

The Legislature covers conference fees, hotel bills and airfare for legislators with authorized travel, Schofield said. They already receive money for housing and meals during the legislative session -- $189 a day for legislators outside of Juneau, less for those who live in the capital city -- and continue to collect that while at the conference. So they aren't reimbursed separately for meals, Schofield said.

The state also pays $32,000 for annual membership dues to The Energy Council, Cameron said.

Senate President Gary Stevens, House Speaker Mike Chenault, and House minority leader Beth Kerttula approved the travel for legislators and all three said the conference is worth the money for Alaska.

"I look at the list of the folks who are going and I would not deny any of them the opportunity to go," Stevens said.

No other state relies on oil production for nearly 90 percent of its general fund revenue the way Alaska does, Chenault, a Republican from Nikiski, said.

"We have the federal government and other agencies that are in our business every day, continuing to slow down or shut down resource development across this state," he said. "And yes, we do need a big presence in D.C. We need to make sure they hear our voice when we say we want to control our own destiny."

ALASKANS AS LEADERS

Four Alaskans on the trip belong to the council executive committee: Republican Sens. Charlie Huggins of Wasilla and Bert Stedman of Sitka, and Republican Reps. Craig Johnson of Anchorage and Kyle Johansen of Ketchikan, who is particularly interested in hydro projects.

Johnson, who co-chairs the House Resources Committee, said he considered canceling his trip to hold hearings on legislation. But he polled his members and three others also are headed to the conference.

Two legislators lead groups with roles in the conference: Republican Sens. Lesil McGuire of Anchorage, who is president of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, and Tom Wagoner of Kenai, who is chairman of the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research. Both are giving welcoming remarks.

Alaska legislators say it's particularly important to establish relationships with commissioners from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which has authority over matters such as interstate transmission of oil and gas. That can't be done over the phone, they say.

The conference doesn't officially start until Thursday evening with a congressional reception, but some Alaskans are going early for meetings on heavy oil. The schedule on Friday and Saturday starts with 7:30 a.m. breakfast speeches. This year's agenda includes sessions on clean energy and smart grids, unconventional gas and cap and trade.

Alaskans spend the afternoons piling into taxis to visit federal energy regulators, members of Congress and other officials, they say.

"There's no down time. It's exhausting," said McGuire, co-chair of the Senate Resources Committee.

WORTH THE SHUTDOWN?

Lawmakers say they gain deeper knowledge about complex oil, gas, mining and hydroelectric issues.

"We can buy consultants, and we have," said Sen. John Coghill, a Republican from North Pole. "But if we don't understand the language of the consultants, the value to Alaskans is diminished."

Still, some, including the governor, question whether the conference in D.C. justifies days of little or no legislative activity in Alaska.

"I understand the Energy Council is ... an important conference to attend," said Gov. Sean Parnell, who went years ago as a legislator. "But I don't think that means the Legislature needs to shut down. I think work can continue as it needs to continue. My hope is that it will."

Some legislators wonder why such a big group needs to go.

"We hear all the discussion of the 90-day session, and now we're going to lose an entire week because they don't feel there's enough critical mass here to continue," said state Sen. Con Bunde, a Republican from Anchorage.

Some House members say they will continue to work on the state budget during what a lot of people call the "Energy Council break." But other than House Finance, no committees are scheduled to meet after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The senators signed up to go are: majority coalition members McGuire; Huggins; Stedman; Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage; Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel; Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks; and Linda Menard, R-Wasilla; plus minority members Coghill; Wagoner; and Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River.

The representatives are: majority members Johnson; Johansen; Ramras; Mark Neuman, R-Wasilla; Anna Fairclough, R-Eagle River; Carl Gatto, R-Palmer; Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage; and Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham; plus minority members Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage; Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage; and Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks.