Sen. Begich asks for help telling state’s energy story

Pushing for Congress to craft and consider comprehensive energy legislation, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich is asking Alaskans to help tell Alaska’s story by sharing photos of the prices at their gas pumps.

The photos will be featured on an interactive web map hosted on Sen. Begich’s website.

“The rest of the country doesn’t understand what gas prices are like in Alaska, and Congress continues to stall when it comes to passing a real energy plan, Begich said. “So I’m asking Alaskans to help me tell the story. No matter what time of year it is, Alaska’s cities pay more for fuel than just about anywhere in the Lower 48 and rural Alaska pays some of the highest costs in the country year-round. It’s time to tackle this problem.”

Alaskans can share their photos by:

• Emailing photos to gasprices@begich.senate.gov.

• Posting photos on the Senator Begich’s Facebook wall.

• Tweeting photos to @SenatorBegich.

Sen. Begich’s online effort coincides with his proposal of the Family Account to Save on Transportation Act.

The bill would provide relief from high gas prices for two years by allowing consumers to set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to spend on gas, much like a medical savings account.