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CLARION
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P E N I N S U L A
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 Soldotna-Kenai, Alaska
Vol. 44, Issue 119
Question How do you feel about the Board of Fisheries meeting for Upper Cook Inlet? n The board did a good job with a difficult issue. n The board’s process is good, but the results were disappointing. n The board’s process was ineffective.
50 cents newsstands daily/$1.00 Sunday
Project highlights energy goal By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — In 2010, the state adopted an energy policy that, among other things, set a goal of having 50 percent Alaska’s electric generation come from renewable and alternative energy sources by 2025. The likeliest way to reach the goal is widely believed
2014 20
28th LEGISLATURE
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to include a major project in south-central Alaska, the proposed Susitna-Watana hydro complex. But the project, which critics see as unnecessary with the state pursuing a natural gas
pipeline, is far from assured. Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, vented his frustration during a House Finance Committee hearing last week, saying the state should stop talking about the goal because he didn’t see a commitment to it from Gov. Sean Parnell’s administration. Stoltze later said his comments were more of a political challenge, borne of a desire to have
a more open discussion on projects — to know, for example, what impact one project, like a gas line, could have on another, like Susitna. “If we can’t juggle two things at once, let the public know,” he said. Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said the state remains committed to the renewableenergy goal as demonstrated
by investments in and ongoing work on the Susitna project and other hydro and wind projects across Alaska. Parnell included $10 million in next year’s budget for the project. The governor said earlier this month that he had no basis to ask legislators for more money until the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), which is behind See ENERGY, page A-8
To place your vote and comment, visit our Web site at www. peninsulaclarion. com. Results and selected comments will be posted each Tuesday in the Clarion, and a new question will be asked. Suggested questions may be submitted online or e-mailed to news@peninsulaclarion.com.
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Conoco: Device found at Anchorage airport for avalanches ANCHORAGE (AP) — The employer of a man whose carry-on bag was found to contain a small explosive device at the Anchorage airport said Monday he was carrying avalanche-control equipment. The device triggered an hour-long shutdown of security screening at the airport Sunday afternoon. A statement issued Monday by ConocoPhillips Alaska said the device was for avalanche control and there was no ill will intended. Conoco spokeswoman Amy Burnett told The Anchorage Daily News she could not release any personal information about the passenger or say if he faces any criminal charges. Shared Services, a co-venture between Conoco and BP, transports more than 20,000 employees and contract workers between Anchorage, Fairbanks and the North Slope every month, Burnett said. Airport officials said they didn’t have any information about criminal charges either. The FBI in Anchorage said it plans to release a statement on Tuesday.
Index Opinion.................. A-4 Nation/World.......... A-5 Sports.....................A-6 Classifieds............. A-9 Comics................. A-12 Pet Tails............... A-13
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Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion
Beach weather
Connie Moore from Ashford, Wash., plays catch with her grandkids Eli and Mia Settlemyer (ages 4 and 2) at the north beach in Kenai Monday. Moore said she didn’t expect weather like this in Alaska when she came up to visit. Light snow in the morning turned to partly sunny skies and a high temperature of 25 degrees Monday.
New Kenai city planner welcomes input By DAN BALMER Peninsula Clarion
The City of Kenai’s new city planner has converted from a tourist to a local. Francis Krizmanich, 58, and his wife Betsy first visited Alaska this past August, rented a motor home in Anchorage and toured the Kenai Peninsula. He said they were so impressed with the area he asked his wife her thoughts on him looking for a job up here. Following an in-person interview with Kenai officials near the end of December, Krizmanich was hired as city planner and started Jan. 29. He said he is excited about the city’s potential and hearing from citizens on what matters to them. “I’m just a babe in the woods right now,” he said. “I am still
‘I am still getting familiar with the area driving around learning what the issues are.’ — Francis Krizmanich, Kenai city planner getting familiar with the area driving around learning what the issues are.” Krizmanich has worked as a consultant on subdivision house approvals in Aspen, Colo., for the last 17 years. He worked with the city and county as a zoning administrator and assistant planning director involved in special projects like ski area master plans and airport expansions.
In the short term, the City of Kenai will be updating various land use code items as well as developing new subdivision regulations, he said. A lot of his time will be devoted to reviewing ordinances and making upgrades to subdivision street design. He is also in the process of hiring an assistant city planner. Krizmanich said the main point of discussion at the last planning and zoning commission meeting Feb. 12 was about transitional housing. He said the committee has been pro-active in getting basic regulations in place to help finds homes for homeless families and individuals because nothing presently exists. One of his long-term goals is Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion creating a new comprehensive New Kenai City Planner Francis Krizmanich sits at his desk plan since Kenai voters rejected at city hall Thursday. Krizmanich moved to Kenai from Aspen, the previous one last October. Colo., where he spent the last 17 years as a planning consulSee KENAI, page A-8 tant to the city.
School supporters Parnell defends actions on hold rally in Juneau Fairbanks refinery closure
JUNEAU (AP) — Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow public money to be used for private and religious schools rallied in front of the state Capitol Monday. The “Save Our Schools” rally was focused on public education. Many of those gathered held signs with slogans like “Kids Not Cuts” and “Axe Vouchers.” Several Democratic lawmakers joined the crowd, including
Rep. Harriet Drummond of Anchorage. She led chants of “BSA! BSA!” — a reference to the base-student allocation, the per-pupil funding formula that many Democrats want to see increased over what Gov. Sean Parnell proposed. Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, said he attended as an observer. He said he considered the conversation about education to be healthy and was still collecting and processing inSee SCHOOL, page A-8
FAIRBANKS (AP) — Gov. Sean Parnell said critics of his administration’s actions in a North Pole oil refinery’s impending closure don’t see behind-the-scenes work that could keep the refinery operating. Flint Hills Resources announced earlier this month that the refinery would cease gasoline production on May 1 and the production of jet fuel C
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by June 1. The Fairbanks Daily NewsMiner reports Parnell told the newspaper’s editorial board that the price the state sets for refinery “royalty” oil is under review. U.S. Sen. Mark Begich has said the environmental-cleanup issue needs to be resolved, and he called for Parnell to take a “personal interest” in the matter. Former Gov.
Frank Murkowski said in a column that Parnell has to act more aggressively. Parnell defended himself in the editorial-board meeting on Friday. “Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening,” Parnell said. “There are a whole host of players who are working diligently to make sure Interior residents get relief.” See CLOSE, page A-8