What’s next
Luckily, there’s a third option that would bolster Alaska’s energy independence and provide stable and affordable electricity. We can start deploying renewables at scale. Alaska has plentiful and varied resources like wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, tidal, and run-of-river power, all of which can be converted to electricity. Unlike for importing LNG, there are significant state and federal programs to assist with the deployment of renewables, one of which, the Renewable Energy Fund, just permanently reauthorized by the legislature this week.
Hawaii has successfully made this turn already. 15 years ago, Hawaii imported nearly all of its energy as fossil fuels from the continental US, facing by far the highest energy costs in the nation. But in 2011, the state began to aggressively implement renewables, and now generates nearly 30% of the power they use locally from renewable sources. Alaska, with more usable land and smaller communities, is arguably better positioned than Hawaii to make a similar transition, and a similar implementation schedule would likely allow Alaska to avoid LNG imports altogether in the coming years.
Of course, rapidly developing clean energy has capital-intensive costs that utilities shy away from like investing in grid upgrades and adding large-scale storage. That’s why it’s so important that you vote in this month’s Chugach Electric Association board election. You can vote online right now at this link. The election closes May 19 at 3pm.
I’m working here in Juneau to force the utilities’ hand toward renewables. HB121, a bill proposed by Rep Sumner and cosponsored by me, would require regulated electric utilities to increase their renewable energy production over time in three steps—25% from renewable sources by 2027, 55% by 2035, and 80% by 2040. 29 states have already adopted renewable energy standards similar to HB 121.
Natural gas is still an important part of Southcentral Alaska’s energy landscape and will be for some time to come. Moving quickly to integrate renewables will stabilize the crisis and provide a steady mixture of energy sources. For decades Alaskans have been promised low and stably priced energy from fossil fuels and for decades they’ve not received it. It’s time for a different approach.
Things of Note
For the first time since COVID started, Medicaid has begun removing people from the rolls again. This will be an ongoing process for months to come so, if you are on Medicaid and haven’t done so already, call 800-478-7778 and update your address and contact information so you aren’t removed by mistake.
The number and extent of people experiencing hunger is very high right now due to the SNAP application backlog. Community partners that distribute food are severely strained right now. If you can, please consider a food or monetary donation to organizations that support food distribution to those that need it.
District 21 Community Council Meetings:
