Potential Building Permits Being Required over 480sqft and other items on the Agenda at the Borough

The agenda for the next assembly meeting is now available. Topics of high interest for district 1 are:

(Veto) RS 26-019 A Resolution Supporting A Joint Marketing Effort Between The Borough And Terra Energy Center Corporation For The Promotion And Development Of Designated Borough Lands To Solicit Expressions Of Interest From Large Power Consumers For Data Center, Energy Infrastructure, Advanced Manufacturing, And Industrial Development Opportunities.

(Motion To Amend Something Previously Adopted) OR 26-20 Ordinance Establishing An Exemption To Weight Restrictions On Borough Roads. RS 26-010: A Resolution Establishing A Fee For Processing Requests For An Exemption To Weight Restrictions On Borough Roads.

(Reconsideration) OR 26-027 An Ordinance Amending MSB 3.28 To Increase The Property Owner Ballot Threshold For Contiguous Local Improvement Districts From 54 Percent To 67 Percent, And Remove The Provisions That Only Returned Ballots Are Considered In Tabulation.

I also want to give an update  and provide some clarification on the “Data Center Resolution” as it’s caused a stir.

Over the last week I’ve spoken with well over a dozen people ranging from legislators, energy officials, conservationists, homesteaders, and fellow district 1 residents on the Terra Energy resolution that will open up a marketing campaign alongside the borough. I’ve gained a lot of objective knowledge and want to put some misinformation to rest now that I am better informed.

As I’ve clearly stated during the last meeting my main concerns are private property infringements, noise pollution, and the possible disturbance of our fish and wildlife. I also need to ensure we as an assembly support good economic development and infrastructure opportunities.

1. This entire concept is centered on bringing more affordable energy to the borough through the construction of a clean coal energy plant. The type of coal that they will be using is thermal coal and not the hazardous metallurgical coal. I support 100%.

2. There will be more energy than the borough can support so one idea on how to use this energy is a data center that will likely use a closed circuit cooling system and not water from any rivers or streams, as well as fans to move the heat elsewhere, see #3. Simply a concept at this point.

3. Here’s a really cool part in my mind, the waste heat from the data center will be used to heat eco garden greenhouses to grow food here in Alaska to put right back into our Alaskan market. Again, simply a concept at this time.

4. This will go in a place where no homes or private property will be infringed. The 4 maps presented were conceptual and not anywhere near a landing spot however the coal is near Skwentna. I 100% support mining our clean thermal coal for Alaskan energy.

I have one more big meeting on Monday however I wanted to get this accurate information out there of what kind of a project is actually being considered. This information is from most of the sources that have been involved in the discussions.

I was uninformed going into our last meeting and I’ve expressed my concerns about that. I voted “no” because I did not have peace moving on this. Now that I am better informed I’m a lot more comfortable if this moves forward after the veto and I hope you are as well.

Please reach out via email, call, or text if you have any questions or feedback on any items.

Respectfully,
Michael Bowles
Assemblyman
Mat-Su Borough, District 1
(907) 355-1355

michael.bowles@matsugov.us