# 112 Answers in Palmer, and Where They Go

> 22 legislative candidates were in a Palmer theater on October 4th as the crowd answered a question on AI data centers.

Published 2026-10-12 by Alaska AI. 9 slides.
Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-10-12/

## The story

57 of 112 said outlaw large AI data centers in Mat-Su.

Three other rooms decide.

57 outlaw. 47 regulate. 8 allow.

The Mat-Su Sentinel asked it live. The tally built on screen as phones answered.

A room, not a poll of Mat-Su.

About 200 came. 112 answered, and each could see the tally grow. 22 legislative candidates were there too.

The question said "the state." Here, that's three rooms.

DNR holds land near Houston. The University of Alaska leased land at Port MacKenzie. A data center bill stopped in the Legislature.

About 19,950 acres. Comments closed September 14th.

A preliminary decision would convey it to AIDEA, whose plan lists data centers among possible uses. AIDEA says none is proposed. As of late September, there is no final decision.

829 acres. Leased in late May, for 20 years.

To Terra Energy, according to university officials.

A data center bill passed the Senate, then stopped.

SB 250 passed the Senate 14 to 5 on May 16th. A House committee heard and held it on May 18th, and it didn't pass the House before the session ended.

22 candidates for those seats were in the room.

The format didn't ask them to debate. Early voting opens October 19th. Election Day is November 3rd.

Ask your House and Senate candidates before October 19th.

## What we verified

- The Mat-Su Sentinel held its Flip the Script State Edition candidate forum on Sunday, October 4th, at the Glenn Massey Theater in Palmer. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The State Edition forum drew about 200 residents. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- 22 candidates for the Alaska Legislature attended the State Edition forum. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The forum's candidates were running for Alaska House Districts 25 through 30 and Senate Districts M and O. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Audience members at the forum answered live polling questions on their phones. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The live polling results appeared on screen in real time. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The forum format did not ask candidates to debate one another. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- A second Sentinel forum, the Borough Edition, was held Thursday, October 8th, at the Palmer Depot. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The Borough Edition forum brought together about 150 residents. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The State Edition asked the room whether the state should restrict large AI and data center development in areas like Mat-Su, and 112 responses were recorded. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 57 of the 112 forum respondents chose to outlaw large AI and data center development entirely. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 47 of the 112 forum respondents chose to allow large AI and data center development but with strict regulations. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 8 of the 112 forum respondents chose to allow large AI and data center development without restriction. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- The Sentinel reported that about half of forum participants favored prohibiting large AI and data center developments. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- 69 forum respondents chose no state subsidy for a gas pipeline, against a printed question total of 127. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- The Sentinel reported that 55 percent of forum participants opposed using any state money to build a natural gas pipeline. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/mat-su-residents-turn-out-to-flip-the-script-at-back-to-back-sentinel-candidate-forums/), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Asked which energy source Alaska should prioritize, 52 forum respondents chose both natural gas and renewables equally. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 51 forum respondents said Alaska should prioritize natural gas from a pipeline. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 28 forum respondents said Alaska should prioritize renewables such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 52 of 105 forum respondents opposed state funding for the West Susitna Access Road. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 101 of 111 forum respondents said Alaska residents fishing for personal use and subsistence should get priority when fish runs are limited. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- House District 25 supplied the largest group of State Edition respondents, with 29 people. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- 53 State Edition respondents placed themselves in Senate District M, the largest Senate group in the room. [Mat-Su Sentinel (Flip the Script State Edition results)](https://www.matsusentinel.com/content/files/2026/10/2026-Flip-the-Script-State-Edition-Results.pdf), primary document.
- Alaska DNR proposed conveying approximately 19,950 acres of state land near Houston to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. [Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224431), primary document, 2026-07-10.
- The proposed AIDEA conveyance near Houston is filed under ADL 234762. [Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224431), primary document, 2026-07-10.
- DNR's decision on the Houston conveyance was issued as a preliminary decision, which becomes the final finding and decision if no significant change is required. [Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224879), primary document, 2026-08-19.
- DNR extended the public comment period on the Houston conveyance to September 14th. [Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224879), primary document, 2026-08-19.
- The University of Alaska gave public notice on January 30th of its intent to lease four parcels of land near Point MacKenzie. [University of Alaska Land Management](https://www.alaska.edu/ualand/public-notices/2026/2026.01.30%20Intent%20to%20Lease%20MS.PM.0001-2-3-4%20Public%20Notice%201.php), primary document, 2026-01-30.
- The U.S. Department of Energy selected Terra Energy Center Corporation for $89,000,000 in federal funding. [U.S. Department of Energy](https://www.energy.gov/hgeo/project-selections-broad-agency-announcement-de-foa-0003605-restoring-reliability-coal-0), primary document.
- The DOE-selected Terra project covers engineering and design of a 1,250 MW coal-fired power plant with carbon capture in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. [U.S. Department of Energy](https://www.energy.gov/hgeo/project-selections-broad-agency-announcement-de-foa-0003605-restoring-reliability-coal-0), primary document.
- The Alaska Senate passed SB 250, a data center bill, 14 to 5 on reconsideration on May 16th. [Alaska State Legislature (BASIS)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB%20250), primary document, 2026-05-18.
- SB 250 was heard and held in the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee on May 18th and did not pass the House before the session ended. [Alaska State Legislature (BASIS)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB%20250), primary document, 2026-05-18.
- Alaska's general election is on November 3rd. [Alaska Division of Elections](https://www.elections.alaska.gov/calendar/), primary document.
- Early and in-person absentee voting for the general election begins October 19th. [Alaska Division of Elections](https://www.elections.alaska.gov/), primary document.
- UAF's drone icing tower is formally called the Supercooled Water Experimental Arctic Tower, or SWEAT. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- The SWEAT ice tower stands about 16 feet tall. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- Coda Consulting of Ottawa, Canada, built the SWEAT tower. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- The SWEAT tower opened in early 2025. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- The SWEAT tower currently lacks a horizontal component for creating wind scenarios. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- UAF's aerospace engineering degree added a robotics track in 2026. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- UAF's aerospace engineering degree program is entering its fourth academic year. [University of Alaska Fairbanks News](https://www.uaf.edu/news/drone-research-gets-a-lift-from-UAF-ice-tower.php), primary document, 2026-09-30.
- DNR said it was reviewing more than 2,100 public comments on the proposed AIDEA land transfer. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- A legal memo by Legislature attorney Alpheus Bullard warned that the AIDEA conveyance may raise legal issues. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- Senate Resources Committee Chair Cathy Giessel signed a September 9th letter raising concerns about the AIDEA land transfer. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- Five members of the Senate Resources Committee signed the September 9th letter on the AIDEA transfer. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- The senators' letter asked Natural Resources Commissioner John Crowther to clarify whether the state could protect the public interest after the transfer. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- As of late September, DNR had not issued a final decision on the AIDEA conveyance and said any final decision would address public, agency and legislative feedback. [Alaska Journal of Commerce (Anchorage Daily News)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-journal/news/2026/10/04/lawmakers-raise-legal-concerns-over-mat-su-industrial-park-and-proposed-land-transfer/), report, 2026-09-28.
- The Mat-Su Borough Assembly unanimously approved a resolution formally opposing the state plan to transfer nearly 20,000 acres to AIDEA. [KTNA (Mat-Su Sentinel report)](https://www.ktna.org/mat-su-assembly-calls-for-industrial-projects-at-point-mackenzie-west-susitna-opposes-aidea-transfer/), report, 2026-09-16.
- The Assembly resolution called for industrial projects to go instead to land at Point MacKenzie or in the West Susitna. [KTNA (Mat-Su Sentinel report)](https://www.ktna.org/mat-su-assembly-calls-for-industrial-projects-at-point-mackenzie-west-susitna-opposes-aidea-transfer/), report, 2026-09-16.
- At an August 13th Houston City Council meeting, an ordinance to block data center construction within city limits failed 4 to 2. [Alaska Public Media (Mat-Su Sentinel reporting)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-18/zero-transparency-houston-officials-oppose-land-transfer-process-linked-to-data-centers), report, 2026-08-18.
- Houston City Council member Jeffry Brasel said there was zero transparency in the land transfer process. [Alaska Public Media (Mat-Su Sentinel reporting)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-18/zero-transparency-houston-officials-oppose-land-transfer-process-linked-to-data-centers), report, 2026-08-18.
- The AIDEA proposal for the Houston parcel lists scalable data centers among possible uses, though AIDEA says no specific projects are proposed or approved. [Alaska Public Media (Mat-Su Sentinel reporting)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-18/zero-transparency-houston-officials-oppose-land-transfer-process-linked-to-data-centers), report, 2026-08-18.
- Terra Energy leased 829 acres of University of Alaska land at Port MacKenzie. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/large-industrial-energy-projects-planned-for-leased-ua-land-at-port-mackenzie/), report, 2026-10-06.
- Terra Energy signed a 20-year lease with the University of Alaska in late May. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/large-industrial-energy-projects-planned-for-leased-ua-land-at-port-mackenzie/), report, 2026-10-06.
- SB 250 was sponsored by Sen. Löki Tobin of Anchorage and would have regulated data centers' use of utility electricity and required decommissioning plans. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- Republican governor candidate Dave Bronson said he is a big believer in data centers. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- Republican governor candidate Treg Taylor said of data centers that Alaska needs to embrace it. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- Treg Taylor said data centers in Alaska should bring their own energy. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- Republican governor candidate Bernadette Wilson said she will never allow Alaska to be littered with hyperscale data centers. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- Democratic governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins said he supports a moratorium on data center development in Alaska until the Legislature passes a regulatory framework. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly voted 6 to 1 on August 27th for 2027 legislative priorities that include a moratorium on commercial data centers on municipal or state-owned land. [Alaska's News Source (KTUU)](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/09/30/fairbanks-borough-assembly-candidates-weigh-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-29.
- Enstar applied to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on September 17th to convert the nearly depleted Kenai Loop field into underground gas storage. [Petroleum News](https://www.petroleumnews.com/story/2026/10/11/news/enstar-applies-to-aogcc-for-gas-storage-at-depleted-kenai-loop/50436.html), report, 2026-10-11.
- Enstar's reservoir simulation indicates a maximum working gas inventory of about 20.5 bcf at Kenai Loop. [Petroleum News](https://www.petroleumnews.com/story/2026/10/11/news/enstar-applies-to-aogcc-for-gas-storage-at-depleted-kenai-loop/50436.html), report, 2026-10-11.
- AOGCC has tentatively scheduled a public hearing on Enstar's Kenai Loop storage application for November 12th. [Petroleum News](https://www.petroleumnews.com/story/2026/10/11/news/enstar-applies-to-aogcc-for-gas-storage-at-depleted-kenai-loop/50436.html), report, 2026-10-11.
- The city of Houston, Alaska, lies at about 61.608 degrees north and 149.774 degrees west, along the George Parks Highway near the Little Susitna River. [Wikipedia, Houston, Alaska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Alaska), report.

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