ADN by Lisa Demer. Bethel's senator opened up the governor's natural gas pipeline legislation Friday and successfully inserted a new special energy fund that would bring cheaper energy to rural Alaska or any part of the state that wouldn't get natural gas directly. . . . Senate Bill 138 now is scheduled for debate, the possibility of more amendments and a vote before the full Senate on Tuesday. The measure sets a path to state investment in a liquefied natural gas project and pipeline estimated to cost $45 billion to $65 billion, and makes the state a partner with oil and pipeline companies. …. The measure's impact was broadened Friday when Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, engineered a change that would set aside a percentage of the state's natural gas ownership share, or royalty sales, for rural Alaska energy projects. Hoffman estimated $100 million a year could go into the new rural capital energy fund, starting a decade or so from now. ….. "This is going to go a long way to make Alaska a more affordable place for most Alaskans," Hoffman said. (Note: When politicians talk about making something more 'affordable' they are talking about taking something from someone to subsidize something for someone else. It is total, Orwellian doublespeak. -dh)
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