As state energy policies improve, don’t forget renewables

The 28th Alaska State Legislature’s first session has officially adjourned. Some remarkable bills that will enhance Alaska’s resource development and transportation needs have been passed. I give the majority leadership in the state House and Senate high marks for one of the most productive sessions in the state’s history, along with a governor who has the intellectual depth and negotiation skills to get the job done without sensationalism.

As modernized petroleum discovery and delivery statutes are ironed out in the second session next year, another critical component of Alaska’s energy plan should not be overlooked. Renewable energy remains a highly effective means of generating and delivering power to Alaskans.

The benefits from clean energy are endless. But while some legislators have championed the cause, state and local policymakers can do much more.

One group doing impressive advocacy work is the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, a nonprofit organization founded and led by Alaskan Chris Rose. Rose’s vision has always been to increase renewable energy in Alaska through advocacy, education, training and collaboration with like-minded organizations and government entities. Rose and his staff are an example of how a few hard-working people can make a notable difference in a new, growing and sometimes misunderstood field.

The group has organized a “Business of Clean Energy” Conference May 2 and 3 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. The network of international/national experts and leaders is impressive.

Alaskans who see the value of renewable energy applications for their business or home should attend the forum and engage in the dialogue. Legislators and their staff should be attending as well.

As for all of us, and the council, assembly and legislative officials who forge our laws, the reminder can’t be emphasized enough that renewable energy offers huge advantages to our state and environment. Four benefits in particular should be considered when the viability of renewables is assessed.

The first benefit comes down to money. The stable price of wind- and solar-generated power compared with the temperamental fluctuation of oil and gas prices is starkly different. In regard to the debate that ensued this session between supporters of a larger gas line and Valdez proponents citing exportation as a benefit vs. House Bill 4 (which just passed the Legislature) and the gas line proposal embracing faster construction and in-state commerce and benefit, the local and state-centered vitality of renewable energy removes the exportation debate from the dialogue completely because Alaskans alone would be enjoying the energy generated.

Another benefit is that renewable energy is clean and environmentally friendly, and when a future leader has the not-so-popular idea to tax pollution levels from fossil fuel production, wind and solar will still be clean and untaxed.

Finally, energy sources like oil, gas, mineral, timber and water are all exhaustible. Wind and solar will blow and beam upon us to infinity — if we don’t first destroy our planet from conflict or abuse.

Looking at the imbalance of energy use and waste, in an article by Elisabeth Rosenthal entitled “Life After Oil and Gas” (New York Times, March 23, 2013), an economist named Fatih Birol who works for the 28-nation (including the U.S.) International Energy Agency, noted that the 19.5 million residents of the state of New York consume the same amount of energy as sub-Saharan Africa (with the exception of South Africa). Rosenthal also addressed the concept of incentivizing financial investment in innovative technologies such as wind and solar, which countries such as Germany and Denmark are employing with great success.

As Birol highlighted, in balance with fossil fuel production and use, especially natural gas, which produces significantly less carbon dioxide than coal and other fossil fuels, a global renewable energy renaissance is achievable.

From solar to wind to tidal, the list of renewable energies available to Alaskans is plentiful. As a solution to environmental and consumptive balance, there couldn’t be a more Earth- and human-friendly alternative.

And for the political wonks who pride themselves on partisanship and party line politics, embracing the renewable energy paradigm of advocacy groups like Renewable Energy Alaska Project, isn’t just morally responsible, it may extend the life of our planet and future generations. That’s a benefit hard to forget.

Meadow Lakes resident Tom Anderson is a former Republican legislator. He owns Optima Public Relations and is a host on Fox News Talk radio, 95.5 FM and 1020 AM.