Senator Lyman Hoffman’s proposal to create a new type of energy borough will have to wait until next year’s Legislative Session.
The Legislature is currently in a special session that’s focused on passing a state budget and regulating prescription opioids. Senate Bill 18, the energy borough proposal, didn’t make the cut.
In fact, no action has been taken on the bill since it was introduced at the start of the session on January 13 and then referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee on January 18. There it’s remained.
If passed next year, the bill would allow a borough to be created that taxes nonrenewable resources, like the proposed Donlin Gold mine. The taxes would fund energy projects in the region that could reduce heating and electric costs.