More power to Palin energy plan

As gasoline and energy prices continue to soar, the talking heads in Washington, D.C., blather on without taking action that could have any significant impact on a population that’s being squeezed more than the tissue paper at Mr. Whipple’s house.

That’s why we are pleased to see Alaska is paving the way for states to not wait for Washington to make a difference for residents. Gov. Sarah Palin unveiled her short-term energy plan yesterday that includes rebating surplus funds to electric utilities. Utilities, like our own Matanuska Electric Association, would use those grants to help reduce electricity costs by 60 percent for ratepayers. The governor’s plan also calls for issuing Energy Debit Cards to qualified PFD recipients worth $100 a month for 12 months. The cards could be used for energy-related purchases, including buying fuel from gas stations.

Overall, Palin’s proposal would give back about $1.2 billion over one year — an estimated $475 million in reduced electricity costs and another $729 million for the Energy Debit Cards.

It is during times like these, when Alaska is financially flush, that governments are truly tested to act for the benefit of those they serve. Palin recognizes this and we support her plan.

“The state treasury is swelling, while family checkbooks are evaporating,” she says in a statement yesterday announcing the plan. “The right thing to do is to return surplus monies to the resource owners through energy relief. Instead of going to Washington, D.C., for relief, Alaskans should be independent enough to take care of this energy problem ourselves.”

While there are many long-range energy challenges facing Alaska — an upcoming special session on a planned gas line to tap into the state’s vast reserves of natural gas is a testament to this — this immediate energy crisis demands attention. With gasoline approaching the $4/gallon mark and the costs of other commodities and products ballooning, Alaska families need relief now.

Shouldering personal responsibility to conserve as much energy as possible is incumbent on us all. In the meantime, we can be grateful we live in Alaska with a governor who understands the treasury is ours, not the state’s.

We encourage our Mat-Su Valley and state lawmakers to give this short-term energy plan a green light.