Tri-Borough Mayors Curt Menard of the Mat-Su Borough, Mark Begich of Anchorage and John Williams of Kenai say it’s imperative the state adopt a policy to ensure economic security in Alaska.
“We’re in an energy crisis right now,” Mat-Su Borough Mayor Menard said. “Companies are shutting down because they don’t have enough energy. I think it’s important to have some kind of road map to follow and to have opportunities to pick up alternative energy in addition to conventional sources.”
|
|
Although adopting an energy policy has been on the state’s radar for some time, Menard said the issue really came to light when many realized the lack of energy currently available in Southcentral.
“It started with the fact that we’re running low on gas,” he said. “When the Agrium plant in Kenai closed down we decided we better come up with a plan.”
According to a Tri-Borough Commission report, the team has identified numerous factors affecting energy supply and demand in Alaska.
• Increasing global demand and cost of major sources like electricity, natural gas and diesel.
• Concerns of energy-supply reliability and security.
• Influence of market forces on cost and supply.
• Global competition affecting investment decisions.
• Recognition of the environmental impact of fossil fuels and possibility that carbon emissions will be costly in the near future.
In addition to factors affecting energy in Alaska, the proposed policy also includes goals that could help establish a healthy energy supply in Southcentral and beyond. Overall, the policy outlines 16 goals that range from incentives to promote crude oil and natural gas drilling in Cook Inlet to creating a School of Energy in the University of Alaska system.
Menard said establishing a School of Energy is an important part of the process. Not only would it create educational opportunities, but it would also help put Alaskans to work.
“I think it’s great that they came up with that because it shows forward thinking and it’s a great opportunity for Alaska students,” he said of the team drafting the plan.
When it comes to alternative energy, Menard said non-fuel sources will be integral to Alaska’s future and meeting the energy needs of a growing state. One of the commission’s goals is to obtain 30 percent of Alaska’s, and specifically the Railbelt’s, electricity supply from non-fuel renewable resources by 2018. According to the commission’s proposed Alaska Strategic Energy Policy Goals, 24 percent of the state’s electricity is produced by zero-fuel resources. The Railbelt produces about 10 percent of its electricity from such sources. For the most part, this energy is generated from hydroelectric plants.
The commission says the development of new renewable resources would help accomplish this goal. Specifically, the commission points to several hydro, geothermal and wind projects that could be established in Alaska. For hydro power, projects could be established on the Susitna River or at Lake Chackachamna.
A geothermal project could be located near Mount Spur and wind power could be generated on Fire Island or near Healy.
Although creating more non-fuel energy is one of the commission’s goals, the group expects natural gas will continue to supply a majority of Railbelt energy in the future.
Overall, Menard said creating an energy policy is a much-needed move for the Mat-Su Borough, Southcentral and the state. Not only would it help address the lack of available energy, but it could also help minimize large utility bills.
“The consumer would be the beneficiary because if we can find enough gas we can keep the price of utilities down,” he said.
Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.
Comments
1 comment(s)CLB wrote on Mar 8, 2008 5:49 PM: