Rolling blackout

An October grid emergency at Golden Valley Electric Association, which warned Interior Alaska customers of possible rolling blackouts, has sharpened debate over the long-delayed Alaska LNG pipeline. Recent investment pledges from South Korea and Taiwan have advanced the project, but as planned the mainline could bypass Fairbanks without a spur line delivering gas locally. A group of Interior community leaders published an op-ed backing gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and running mate Zac Johnson, citing Kreiss-Tomkins's pledge to secure a Fairbanks spur and interim plans for an energy bond, utility reform, and cross-party cooperation.

The episode underscores how high heating and electricity costs in the Interior are becoming a central issue ahead of Alaska's November gubernatorial election.

A surge of data center construction in Texas has sparked bipartisan backlash among residents complaining about noise, traffic, and strain on local water and power systems. The anger is most acute in rural communities that reliably vote Republican, creating political risk for Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP leaders who have championed the state's growth as an "epicenter of A.I. development." Abbott recently called for a pause on connecting new large data centers to the state's power grid pending an audit of local impacts, though existing construction continues and off-grid projects are unaffected.

Democratic candidates, including gubernatorial challenger Gina Hinojosa and Senate nominee James Talarico, are pushing for moratoriums and tighter regulation, hoping frustration depresses Republican turnout or shifts votes. Republicans, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, have proposed their own reforms while defending the industry's economic importance. Polling shows Republicans divided on the issue, but many affected voters say they remain unlikely to cross party lines despite feeling let down by state leadership. The Texas Legislature is expected to take up statewide regulation next year.