C
M
Y
K
Threat
Merger
Israel vows to destroy tunnels
SoHi and Skyview activities combine
World/A-8
Sports/B-1
CLARION
Sunny 67/50 More weather on Page A-2
P E N I N S U L A
Friday-Saturday, August 1-2 Soldotna-Kenai, Alaska
Vol. 44, Issue 260
Question Do you think additional enforcement in area fisheries this season has been effective? n Yes n No 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.
50 cents newsstands daily/$1.00 Sunday
LNG Project buying land, securing access BY TIM BRADNER Morris News Service-Alaska Alaska Journal of Commerce
The Alaska LNG Project LLC has purchased 120.4 acres of from private landowners for a large liquefied natural gas plant at Nikiski, has an additional 97 acres under contract for purchase and is also working with the Kenai Peninsula Borough on conveyance of 29.9 areas of borough-owned lands. That’s according to the ex-
port application the project developers have filed with the U.S. Department of Energy. BP, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil Corp. are identified as the partners in the Alaska LNG Project LLC but the overall project will also include the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corp. and pipeline company TransCanada Corp in its ownership. “The project would be the largest integrated gas/LNG project of its kind ever designed
and constructed,” the applicants wrote in their filing with the U.S. DOE. One of the requirements of the federal agency is that proponents of an LNG export project specify what property rights have been established in an application for an export permit. About 400 acres are needed for the plant but the project would like to have additional lands because of the requirements for equipment and material storage, project manager
Steve Butt of ExxonMobil has said in interviews. The purchasing of land is in addition to $500 million committed to do pre-Front End Engineering and Design work on the large gas pipeline and LNG export project, estimated now to cost $45 billion to $65 billion. The bulk of the land purchased so far is small parcels typically just larger than one acre, but one 40-acre tract has been bought along with a 15-
ConocoPhillips Alaska reports $627M 2Q earnings C
M
Y
K
Sonar estimates Estimated early-run kings in the Kenai River: n Wednesday: 655 n So far: 12,706 Estimated Kenai River reds: n Wednesday: 58,024 n So far: 828,814 Russian River reds weir count: n Wednesday: 1,365 n So far: 6,674 Estimated Kasilof River reds: n Wednesday: 5,340 n So far: 407,135
Information provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Sonar estimates can be obtained by calling 262-9097.
Index Opinion.................. A-4 Nation.................... A-6 World..................... A-8 Sports.....................A-x Classifieds............. B-1 Comics.................. C-9
Check us out online at www.peninsulaclarion.com To subscribe, call 283-3584.
See LNG, page A-12
State offers free vaccines
In the news
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — ConocoPhillips Alaska, one of the North Slope’s major players, reported adjusted second-quarter earnings of $627 million. That compares to adjusted earnings of $585 million during the second quarter of 2013, a figure that does not include a one-time, $97 million settlement. The company reported earnings of $598 million for the first quarter of 2014. In a release, the company attributed higher prices and, to a lesser degree, the startup of liquefied natural gas exports from its Kenai plant for the higher earnings, relative to the first quarter of the year.
and 9-acre parcels, according to documents filed with the application. Most of the purchases were done in May and June, according to the application. The transactions are on file in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Recorder’s Office. “Approximately 10 contract land brokers are continuing to work in the Nikiski area to acquire additional land rights for the LLC, both for fee title land for the liquefaction facility
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion
Summer’s end Trinity Greenhouse seasonal employee Vicki Glck looks at the large sweeps the floor in the second greenhouse, Thursday, at the Trinity Greenhouse, in Soldotna. Trinity Greenhouse will be closed down for the year within the next two weeks said owner Ron Sexton.
20
14
ANCHORAGE (AP) — The state is offering free vaccines to eligible Alaskans in August. The vaccines are being offered at public health centers across the state during National Immunization Awareness Month. The usual $28 administrative fee is being waived for people of all ages who are eligible, including children under the age of 3 and people without health insurance. Individual vaccine costs are being covered by federal and state grants. People just pay for office visits on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. No one will be turned away if they can’t pay. Linda Worman with the Department of Health and Social Services says appointments can be scheduled through local state public health centers.
New Homer’s Seaton seeks re-election 20 14
group jumping into Senate race
somebody sharecrop.” Seaton worked on the issue for about 11 years; being a represenEditor’s note: This is the second in a tative teaches patience, series of stories looking at area candidates he said. for the Alaska Legislature. and renumbered as District 31. Seaton, 68, has lived Originally, Seaton said he sought elec- in Alaska since 1975, Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, who was first elected in 2002, said many pieces of tion because he felt the state was moving and is a commercial Seaton legislation take years to get through, so in the wrong direction on certain issues fisherman. Being a fisherman he’s still got some bills he’s looking to including corporate ownership of fishing permits. has helped him to unpush through the legislature. “I’ve been in office long enough now to derstand the different communities and “Lots of things take a long time to get have gotten that reversed,” he said. “So in economics of various rural Alaska areas, on the right path,” he said. Seaton is running unopposed this elec- state waters only people, real people, can which is useful as a representative, but JUNEAU (AP) — A new tion season for his House District, which own and operate their fishing permit in- since being elected, he has downsized his group is getting involved in See HOUSE, page A-12 Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, is now located entirely on the road system stead of corporations owning it and having aimed at curbing spending by outside groups that don’t disclose their donors. CounterPAC wants Democratic Sen. Mark Begich and Republican hopeful Dan SulBy KELLY SULLIVAN Landen said. “Retention is in- are not adding another policy ity. livan to disavow any “secret” Peninsula Clarion creased and the students have a enforcer. He will act as a role Tammie Willis Associated money spent on their behalves. better and more enriching expe- model for good community be- Director of Residence Life said If such groups continue havior.” Landen volunteered for the po- spending money, the candidate After selling his tri-level, rience.” Landen said his role is not Byrd said colleges through sition. He worked in residence who benefits would donate Soldotna home, Kenai Peninsula College Associate Profes- to act as a tutor but to help stu- out the nation, such as Duke life as he pursued his education, money to a charity his opposor of Psychology Paul Landen dents better navigate the intri- University, and the University so he was eager to be involved nent chooses. unpacked his belongings into cacies of learning at KPC. One of Texas are setting up simllar in the residence hall. CounterPAC co-founder Jim “I have never had one (Live- Greer said it’s less stringent a suite at the KPC Residence of his first priorities is getting programs. When students feel more comfortable with their In-Faculty employee) that sold than a Sullivan proposal aimed hall. It is now his permanent to know his new neighbors. Leslie Byrd, Residence Life professors they are more likely his house to move on campus at limiting radio and TV ads residence. Landen is the first professor Coordinator said Landen’s du- to ask for help and consequent- to be part of a faculty in resi- by special interests. While Sulin a Faculty-In-Residence pro- ties will also include admin- ly become more engaged in dence program,” Willis said. “I livan is in a contested primary, think the fact that Dr. Landen he and Begich have been the gram, in which staff members istrative help, as well as ex- their studies, she said. The coming school semester did sell his house to be a part targets of outside groups. live and work on campus that panding existing programs and will be implemented at KPC coming up with new ones to will be the second year since of this program says a lot about CounterPAC is billed as a during the 2014 fall semester. connect KPC faculty with stu- the residence hall opened, Byrd his motivation to increase stu- nonpartisan group financially The goal is to increase interac- dents. He file monthly reports said. The first year the goal of dent engagement and impact backed by technology entrepretion between students and fac- how well he thinks the program having one-third capacity, was students lives.” neurs. Greer says the group is is working, she said. completed and this year she Will said the theory behind filing with the Federal Election ulty, he said. “He will not have an author- said they are likely reach their the program is based on a con- Commission and will disclose “It increases a sense in students that they belong here,” itative role,” Byrd said. “We goal to be at two-thirds capacSee KPC, page A-12 its donors. By KAYLEE OSOWSKI Peninsula Clarion
2014
2014
KPC program targets student experience
C
M
Y
K