When you look at the cost of running Eielson...its a ton of money. Between the heat bills and the operational cost...it'd make alot more sense to keep a base open down in Arizona, and base the unit there. As for commerical use of Eielson....I have a alot of doubts that it can be done. No industry is going to move there. Other than tourism...I can't see anyone setting up shop there. Although alot of military retirees might be interested in buying houses in the base housing area.
Remember The president calling for refineries to be built on vacated military bases? Maybe, just maybe...
What do you suppose response time from Arizona would be?
Eielson is home to the 354th Fighter Wing. Other than a couple forward based F15s at Galena, its the primary defense base in Alaska. Move that south and Alaska is a sitting Duck for any N.Korean mischief.
If the fighters were to be moved off Eielson under realignment, all thats left is the 168th air refueling wing, a National Guard unit. They could theoretically be anywhere. However, they frequently refuel interdiction flights by the fighter wing, so they can't go far.
That's why Ted Stevens said:
"I think it is wrong to leave our area without fighter protection and it is wrong from a national security point of view because the access to our nation from that part of the world is across Alaska, so it is just not a good decision."
As for the heating costs, its, what, maybe 15 miles from the Alaska Pipeline?