Let me set the record straight: Alaska has made significant investments to reduce energy costs. In fiscal years 2009 and 2010, we committed more than $600 million for renewable energy, weatherization, home energy rebates, power cost equalization and heating assistance.
In addition, Alaska will receive $18.5 million for weatherization and $9.6 million for energy efficiency from the federal stimulus package. But the other $28.6 million comes with strings attached.
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1. Before the stimulus bill passed, it was clear Congress intended to tie the funds to adoption of new energy building codes.
2. When Congress passed the bill, section 410’s language was clear: governors had to certify in writing that their state or all local jurisdictions with authority to adopt building codes would “implement” the new energy building codes or their equivalent.
3. After the stimulus passed, the USDOE confirmed in their March 12 and April 24 guidance manuals that funding was only available if governors would confirm in writing that the state or all local jurisdictions with authority to adopt building codes “will implement” the target codes or their equivalents.
4. After Alaska pointed out that its requirements were unreasonable, USDOE admitted the requirements were “not appropriate” for every state and offered to accept instead, a promise by the governor to promote the target codes on Alaska communities.
5. On June 6, 2009, USDOE’s contractor developing measurement and reporting requirements related to energy building codes repeated in writing the position that all local communities without the target codes or an equivalent had to adopt the target codes.
The bottom lines are:
• My administration was well-justified in its interpretations of what section 410 and USDOE statements were requiring as conditions to qualify for the funds. In some cases, the conditions were greater in scope than what the Legislature found.
• While USDOE admitted that their requirements were not appropriate for every state, the department was still requiring the governor to push the target codes on Alaska communities.
• In the June 6, 2009, draft compliance document, USDOE again put a position in writing that codes must be adopted. USDOE appears to be giving inconsistent verbal statements on its position. The fact that USDOE cannot settle on a position is cause for concern particularly regarding what USDOE will ultimately require from states who accept the funds.
• Section 410 requires adoption of the 2009 International Energy Code for residential buildings and the Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings or their equivalents. So, it is a single standard for energy savings that must be met by all communities. In that sense it is a one-size-fits-all type requirement. Communities may have some leeway to shape their specific codes, but they still have to adopt a code that does not drop below the federally mandated “floor” for energy savings.
It is unclear what changes could be made and still reach the minimum savings level set by the feds. This intrudes on the authority of local governments.
While the draft guidelines are voluntary for now, Alaskans should not be complacent. These guidelines could very well become mandatory over the next few years and be used by the USDOE to conclude that a particular state is not in compliance.
Alaska is already a leader among states in pursuing conservation, weatherization, and renewable energy. We’ve done so largely with state funds and without infringing on the local authority of Alaska communities.
Sarah Palin is governor of Alaska.
Comments
14 comment(s)Frank wrote on Jul 5, 2009 12:29 AM:
In quitting her governorship, she needlessly insulted every prior office holder, of every level, by implying lame ducks are in fact governmental moochers. That was a brazenly hypocritcal and self-serving claim. The only good news is that she will no longer be our governor. "
Pegboard wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:02 AM:
Power Wagon wrote on Jul 1, 2009 9:19 AM:
Have you noticed; no Ed from AZ, Jim from Boston, etc in here. You'd think they'd be all over this article since it was written by Palin herself. I guess it's too hard to argue against black-and-white facts, eh? Better to cower somewhere else where you can make silly false accusations and wierd assumptions... "
jp wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:32 PM:
ReaganTMan wrote on Jun 29, 2009 8:07 AM:
Lisa Graas wrote on Jun 28, 2009 11:48 PM:
Power Wagon wrote on Jun 28, 2009 9:01 PM:
ReaganTMan wrote on Jun 28, 2009 7:58 PM:
Governor Palin is just getting a jump on this. "
teamsarah wrote on Jun 28, 2009 6:02 PM:
Ron Devito wrote on Jun 28, 2009 3:23 PM:
She established beyond the shadow of a doubt that this money comes with a breach of the Tenth Amendment.
Furthermore, the cost of compliance may far outweigh the net present value of the money received.
The hand that vetoed this money was guided by a mind that actually read every page in the package and understood all of its associated ramifications. "
Jon Carry wrote on Jun 28, 2009 2:24 PM:
Don Supp wrote on Jun 28, 2009 12:14 PM:
This is long overdue from Me, my Wife and our 24 year old U of WA. graduate Son. You are the ONLY real Governor in these 50 States. You make us very proud and we feel so ashamed thatthere is such a cabal against you just trying to denigrate you for any future elections. Naturally the uneducated will listen to and adhere to the propaganda thrown at them. In any event you are our favorite for ANY office and we wish you the very best of luck from our Family. "
Greg wrote on Jun 28, 2009 12:07 PM:
Captain wrote on Jun 28, 2009 11:55 AM: