I need your help to determine Alaska's energy future.
Please take a moment to comment on the draft Statewide Energy Master Plan.
In February, Governor Mike Dunleavy established the Alaska Energy Security Task Force made up of members representing electric utilities, Alaska Native corporations, municipalities, the State of Alaska, and others. The mission of the task force is to develop a statewide energy plan. The draft Statewide Energy Master Plan has been released and now is where Alaskans need to step in. Please take some time to read the plan (it is 142 pages in length) and comment to make the plan better.
On Tuesday, October 24th the Alaska Energy Security Task Force will take public comment between 5:00 & 6:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
Click here to join the meeting - Meeting ID: 288 316 961 77 - Passcode: 7J9hun
You can also call 1-907-313-5807 and use the phone conference ID: 576 325 260#
You can also submit public comments via email: info@akenergysecuritytaskforce.com.
I appreciate the work that has gone into the draft Statewide Energy Master Plan. It is our responsibility as Alaskans to provide robust public comment and I know that the plan can be improved through a vigorous public comment process.
With that in mind, here are a couple of things that caught my attention and issues I plan to raise in my comments to the Alaska Energy Authority:
The draft plan includes a recommendation to unify all the different electric transmission systems along the Railbelt in Alaska under the ownership of a single entity. While a unified system might result in lower costs, that is not assured. Along with my concerns on the impacts of creating an electric monopoly, such an entity may experience significant inertia to continue to rely on oil, gas, and coal instead of turning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar that do not contribute to carbon pollution.
While I applaud the decision to include a recommendation that Alaska adopt a clean energy standard and offer incentives to facilitate diversified energy generation, there are significant differences between a Clean Energy Standard and a Renewable Portfolio Standard. Many states have adopted both approaches. I strongly believe that Alaska needs to prepare for the future and build the infrastructure to generate power through renewable technologies now. We don’t have the luxury of pretending climate change is not affecting our communities nor engaging in fanciful thinking that oil and gas will be around forever.
There is much to like about the draft Statewide Energy Master Plan. I love the goal to expand the use of heat pumps and to electrify Alaska ferries. I fully support the goal of having the State of Alaska assist and fund battery energy storage systems and I think it is vital that the Alaska Legislature fund the capital budget so that we can help expand the use of renewable energy projects in rural Alaska.
I was honored to speak at the MyCache student appreciation banquet.
On Wednesday night, I was invited to speak to postsecondary students, parents, and community members from the Bering Strait region. While I live in Anchorage and I am privileged to represent the downtown area in the Alaska State Senate, I love Nome. It’s where I grew up and in many ways, it will always be home.
I was honored to speak at the MyCache student appreciation banquet. MyCache is a service in the Bering Strait region that helps residents pursue postsecondary education by simplifying and providing assistance navigating the often confusing scholarship application process. MyCache is a partnership that includes a diverse group of entities including Kawerak Inc., the North Sound Economic Development Corporation, and the Norton Sound Health Corporation.
Wednesday night was a thrill for me because I got to visit with former classmates, friends, Elders, colleagues, students, and parents from my home region. While I was asked to speak directly to the students, I hope my words resonated with everyone. My simple advice, which I am trying to follow more diligently, is to talk less and listen more. Plus, always be kind.
Listen to my full remarks below.
It’s illegal.
Many know that I am not a big driver and that I choose to commute to most places by bicycle. Few know the exact reason why. I have witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking power of a vehicle hitting a small body and the horrific aftermath a family, and a community, experiences. It scares me to my core that many of us drive weapons of mass destruction daily.
I know there is much going on and email pings and text messages often feel like they need an immediate response, but please - I beg of you - stay off your cell phone in a school zone. This past week, I watched several parents drop off their kiddos only to immediately pick up their phones and become distracted. The tiny tots that are walking or biking to school need us to be at our most alert in these moments. Heck, as I ride my bike along Bike Boulevard (10th Avenue), I cannot tell you how many times I have almost been sideswiped by a vehicle pulling out after dropping off their little one near a neighborhood school.
It only takes a split second to irrevocably change someone’s life (and yours). Please keep your phone safely stored until you get to your destination. The emails and the text messages will be waiting, I promise.
