1. United States
2. Alaska
3. Letter

I oppose the preliminary lease decision for Stak Energy's proposed North Slope data center until the State can demonstrate it has the tools and framework to actually protect Alaska's interests. I see the value of an industry in Alaska that is doing more than just harvesting commodities, but I also see the risk in rushing forward with a project half-cocked. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is moving toward a 50-year land commitment for a $500 million project with no firm gas supply deal and undisclosed financing from a company that has never built anything at this scale. My concern goes deeper than if Stak Energy can deliver on it's plan, though. The state still hasn't resolved what it's owed from Hilcorp, which is a much more straightforward situation of the state simply failing to tax an S corp. Managing the royalties, public benefit, and risks from a facility that would consume more than twice the natural gas urban Alaska uses for electricity and heating combined, will occupy 1 square mile, generate enormous amounts of waste heat in an area of Tundra and Permafrost, and requires 7 million cubic yards of gravel to build is far more complex. I see the enormous potential, but Before I can trust the State of Alaska to properly weigh and plan for these concerns and secure proper compensation for the people of Alaska I need it to show me it can handle the much smaller task of closing the loophole that prevents Hilcorp from being taxed.