Senator George Rauscher

10/25/2026

The Senate Resources Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow, Monday, October 26, at 10 am. We will hear a presentation on DNR Public and Charitable Use Land Conveyances by DNR Commissioner John Crowther and Brian Butcher, CEO and Executive Director of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

You can watch the meeting live on the akleg website or on Gavel Alaska.

Akleg: https://akleg.gov/

Gavel Alaska: https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/senate-resources-committee-2026101022/?eventID=2026101022

10/25/2026

Please stay safe out there.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches.

* WHERE...Northern Susitna Valley.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will continue north of Talkeetna and across Broad Pass through this afternoon. The heaviest snow is expected to fall this morning before tapering off. The snow may mix with rain or freezing rain at times near the south end of the pass, limiting snow accumulations. After a brief break in the snow, another round of snow is possible overnight late Sunday evening into early Monday morning.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Eielson AFB and Salcha, Harding Lake, and Two Rivers. * WHEN...From 10 AM Tuesday to 4 PM AKDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A very sharp gradient between light a...

10/24/2026

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) has announced a $25 million investment in NuCube Energy to advance its development of compact, factory built nuclear microreactors designed to serve communities and industrial sites. The funding will support technology development, manufacturing readiness, and licensing—not construction of an operating reactor yet.

10/23/2026

Please join me in recognizing Red Ribbon Week, October 23–31, a national campaign that brings families, schools, and communities together to raise awareness about the dangers of drug misuse and encourage young people to make healthy choices.

Fentanyl makes this message especially urgent. Even a small amount can cause a fatal overdose, and counterfeit pills can contain fentanyl without the person taking them knowing it.

Here in Alaska, I have a bill that helps address this issue. SB 228 would require the Department of Education and Early Development to develop an opioid abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for students in grades 6–12. School districts would be mandated to teach the curriculum every year during or near Red Ribbon Week. Prevention means reaching our kids before tragedy occurs.

We honor the lives already lost by working to prevent the next loss. Together, we can support families and build a safer, healthier future for Alaska’s next generation.

Read my bill here:

10/22/2026

MEA, ENSTAR and Hilcorp have signed a gas exchange agreement involving 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas to help meet ENSTAR’s winter needs, with approximately $2 million in anticipated savings for MEA members.

MEA has secured 100% of its natural gas needs for members this winter, and the agreement will not affect its ability to generate power. By making more gas available during peak demand, the partnership is expected to help reduce the risk of rolling service interruptions during extreme cold.

Read the release here:

MEA and ENSTAR have signed a gas exchange agreement involving 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas to help meet ENSTAR’s winter gas needs while providing approximately $2 million in anticipated savings for MEA members.

10/21/2026

I was back in Valdez again, this time for the Alaska Association of Harbor Masters and Port Administrators Fall Conference.

There was a lot of information presented during the conference concerning the partnerships and needs of the Sound and Marine Highway. I also had the opportunity to speak to the attendees and appreciated the chance to be part of the conversation.

It was also good to catch up with folks and hear what’s happening around town. I’ve been making it to Valdez every other month or so lately, and there’s always something new going on!

10/20/2026

Big news for Alaska’s transportation infrastructure.

The Alaska Railroad has been awarded $249 million in federal funding to complete the 32-mile Port MacKenzie rail extension. The project will connect the deepwater port to Alaska’s rail network, helping strengthen freight transportation and support resource development and jobs.

Officials are aiming to break ground in spring 2027.

The Alaska Railroad received $249 million in federal funding to complete a 32-mile rail extension connecting Port MacKenzie to the state's 500-mile rail network.

10/19/2026

This week is National Coal Week. For 23 years, I’ve worked alongside Usibelli Coal Mine and their efforts in the State Of Alaska to provide coal both locally in-state and overseas, while working endlessly to bring the Wishbone Mine in Sutton into production.

I remember watching coal being loaded “over the rail” by conveyor belt at Port Mackenzie.

I want to thank the Denali Borough Assembly for the resolution supporting Usibelli Coal Mine’s longstanding contributions to Alaska.

This week is not just about coal mining, but also about the miners themselves and the power plants that utilize the coal they provide. The State of Alaska has enough coal to provide heat and electric power with a cheap, reliable, and endless supply of fuel for Alaska for thousands of years.

10/18/2026

Happy Alaska Day!

On October 18, 1867, Alaska was formally transferred from Russia to the United States during a ceremony atop Castle Hill in Sitka, where the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag was raised.

I’m grateful to call Alaska home and honored to serve the people who make it so special.

10/17/2026

As many of you know, I co-sponsored Senator Scott Kawasaki’s legislation to change the gun suppressor and the definition of illegal gun laws in the state of Alaska, and I am planning to work alongside him again this January to get it passed this upcoming session as well. Now that the federal courts have agreed with us as well, this bill should get passed fairly early in the session.

Alaska’s acting attorney general is calling on state lawmakers to resolve a legal gray area created after a federal court ruling changed how suppressors and some short-barreled ri**es and sh****ns are regulated.