Shifting to Transmission

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Two weeks ago, several members of our team went to Juneau, in Á’akw Kwáan territory, for the Just Transition Summit. Over the course of four days, we heard from Indigenous leaders, youth, elders, labor movement experts, legislators, and other partners of ours about efforts to transition our economy away from extraction and toward resilience and regeneration. 

We discussed a wide swath of issues related to a just transition, including building a true multi-racial democracy, circular economies and waste, and Indigenous Knowledge. We also made time for conversations around healing, and found opportunities to connect with one another between sessions. You can watch some of the keynote panels, and see a complete list of speakers on the Just Transition website. One highlight we are especially proud of: a legislative lunch and learn about transitioning our energy system, featuring three wonderful panelists. Our Alaska Fellow, Marta Ditzler, worked tirelessly on coordinating this over the past few months with support from the rest of our team, and we are so grateful for her work.

From left to right: Sally Rue (The Alaska Center Board Chair), Leila Pyle (AYEA Program Manager), Chantal de Alcuaz (Co-ED), Alex Petkanas (Climate and Clean Energy Program Manager), Marta Ditzler (Organizing Fellow), Jenny Marie-Stryker (Political Director), Vicki Long-Leather (Co-ED)

While there, The Alaska Center staff met with twelve legislators to discuss our energy policy priorities for the remainder of this session. We outlined the importance of things like Community Solar, a Renewable Portfolio Standard, annual net metering, and opposing any new coal projects. All of our conversations, however, turned to one key topic: transmission planning and upgrades.

The “transmission system” refers to all of the infrastructure that allows us to send energy from one place to another along the railbelt – which serves about 75% of the population in Alaska. When we talk about transmission planning, we are referring to a process that currently rests with the Railbelt Reliability Council. This group has been carefully organized to include stakeholder representation of small consumers, environmental groups, labor, regulators, and utility providers. They have been tasked with the responsibility of coming up with a holistic, efficient plan for the railbelt to get energy to everyone from Fairbanks down to the Kenai Peninsula. 

Multiple issues are popping up related to this transmission system in the legislature. One current bill (SB 257) would take planning responsibility away from the Railbelt Reliability Council and create a new organization with less oversight and stakeholder input to handle planning. The Alaska Center has raised concerns about this proposal, as we believe this would result in less public input and transparency in planning. Other proposals would reduce the cost of sending energy back and forth by removing something called “wheeling fees” which utilities currently charge to one another. Another crucial issue is providing a state match for the federal Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) funding that will go toward transmission upgrades. 

As the legislative body focuses on energy and transmission, The Alaska Center strives to be a resource on energy policy. We are working collaboratively with our partners to advocate for clean energy and transparency, and have provided legislative staff with our positions on these transmission issues while continuing efforts to bring our other policy goals to the forefront. We will continue our work throughout the rest of this session and will keep our supporters updated on opportunities to provide public testimony or otherwise get involved.

Whether you write to your representatives, call in to testify during public hearings, or author op-eds about your priorities, you are a key part of making sure the Alaska state legislature is acting in the best interest of the people. Looking for ways to participate? Sign up to volunteer with us!

Together for Alaska’s Energy Future,
The Alaska Center

2024 Chugach Electric Association Endorsements

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At The Alaska Center, we work to elect Alaskans who stand up for our clean air and water, healthy communities, and a strong democracy at every level of public leadership: from the federal government down to local board elections. One of these local elections this spring is so small that many people don’t know they have the right to vote – but this Board holds a key role in transitioning us to a sustainable and independent energy future. 

Chugach Electric Association is the largest power provider in Alaska, servicing over 144,000 customers in the Anchorage area. Most of that power currently comes from natural gas – which is rapidly becoming less available in Alaska. As the Board holds elections for two open seats this spring, we must elect leaders who can set realistic goals to achieve energy independence in Alaska quickly. 

Director Sam Cason and Director Mark Wiggin will do just that. Both of these candidates have been serving on the Board and have filed for reelection this year. The Alaska Center is proud to endorse both candidates, and support them in their efforts to continue their hard work of setting and implementing policy goals for Chugach Electric Association. These candidates are proven community leaders who support harnessing renewable energy here at home, rather than paying exorbitant fees to rely on importing liquefied natural gas long term. We believe that re-electing Directors Cason and Wiggin will keep us on the right path for a fiscally and environmentally sustainable future in Alaska. 

“Reliable and cost-effective electric power is an essential part of maintaining a stable community and robust economy.” said Director Mark Wiggin on why he’s running for re-election. Director Sam Cason, when asked why he was running again, stated: “I view this as a generational opportunity to move towards a sustainable and prosperous future for our system, our economy, and our kids.”

Do you get an electricity bill from Chugach Electric Association every month? If so, that means you’re a member and you can vote in Annual Elections to make your voice heard! 

Mark your calendars: Voting opens on April 17. Members will receive an email with information on electronic voting. If you do not receive your ballot or have other questions, call (907) 762-4489 to make sure your information is up to date. Electronic voting closes May 17th, but members can also vote in person on May 17th at the Chugach Electric Association Annual Meeting. 

Your vote in this election is crucial in shaping our energy future in Alaska. Vote Cason and Wiggin to ensure that the Chugach Electric Association Board keeps Alaska’s best interests at heart.

Spring Into Action: Protecting Democracy in Alaska’s Elections

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Dear Friend,

It’s spring (or at least false spring) here in Alaska, and that means local and state-wide elections are right around the corner. Whether you’re refreshing your browser, waiting for national primary results, or attending cozy coffee shop chats put on by your favorite mayor or state leg candidate, voting is on the mind of many of us – including our state legislators.  

We’re one month through the session, and our Representatives have been busy bees when it comes to voting legislation – HB 4 (the repeal of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)) had a hearing on day one of the session, and HB 129 (purging voter rolls), has already moved out of the House and into The Senate State Affairs Committee. Purging might sound like something you’d do to your closet during spring cleaning, but it’s anything but tidy when it comes to voting rights. “Purging” or “cleaning up” the voting rolls involves deleting voters from the rolls when they have moved, passed away, or become ineligible to vote. Maintaining the accuracy of the roles is important, but when done irresponsibly – like removing large swaths of voters, for instance –  it can be used as a tool for voter suppression and disenfranchisement. Imagine voters discovering they’re no longer listed as eligible voters when they arrive at the polling place on Election Day. This particular bill seems benign on its face – but a lot can change over the course of a session. Purging voting rolls paired with the repeal of Automatic Voter Registration, for instance, would be a recipe for disaster for voters. That’s why we are watching this bill closely.  

If you’ve ever been torn between two candidates and wished you could vote for both, then RCV is your political cup of tea. But the real tea is the work happening to repeal it. With RCV, voters can rank their candidates in order of preference, ensuring their voice is still heard even if their top pick doesn’t win. RCV has been shown to elect more BIPOC, women, and moderate candidates (that’s why we support it) and, therefore, has struck the ire of those with polarizing political ideologies. As we mentioned, HB 4 (the current vehicle for RCV repeal) has already had a hearing this session and has passed out of committee despite the overwhelming public testimony in opposition last year. This Senate has been protecting our right to vote like a mama bear protecting her cubs, so we don’t anticipate an RCV repeal passing this session. But if you have been watching the news, you may know that it’s possible a repeal could be on the ballot this November. Whether through legislation or ballot measure, a repeal of RCV would be bad for voters and bad for Alaska. Many of you showed up and testified last session, we will likely need that support again soon. We will keep you posted. 

Democracy is not a spectator sport – it’s an interactive experience where every voice matters. Whether embracing new voting systems like RCV, ensuring ballot integrity through curing, or fighting for equal access to the polls, we must remember that democracy is a journey, not a destination. Democracy isn’t just about casting a vote – it’s about shaping the future. So keep paying attention and taking action! And, of course, please vote like your rights depend on it! 

With commitment to our shared future,

The Alaska Center

Breaking Down the Alphabet Soup: Big Win for Renewable Energy!

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Navigating the clean energy world can feel like staring at a bowl of alphabet soup. “Did you hear GVEA & CEA voted for an RPS that would fall under RCA and RRC jurisdiction?” For those of us who didn’t totally follow that, we’ll break down what happened during the first few weeks of the legislative session, and what that means for clean energy in Alaska – without using any acronyms. 

During the week of January 22, the two largest electric utility providers in Alaska passed resolutions in support of a Renewable Portfolio Standard.

A Renewable Portfolio Standard would establish a timeline for utility providers along the railbelt to transition to more renewable energy sources. We believe that this transition is not only critical for addressing our rapidly changing climate, but also for securing stable and reliable opportunities for Alaskans as the clean energy sector jobs continue to expand and oil and gas jobs decrease. 

In Fairbanks, the Golden Valley Electric Association unanimously adopted a statement that indicates general support for the goals of a Renewable Portfolio Standard, but outlines specific concerns about the current version of the bill in the state legislature. The following evening in Anchorage, the Chugach Electric Association passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a Renewable Portfolio Standard for the state. 

We are thrilled to see these utility providers recognize the importance of a Renewable Portfolio Standard, and now we’re asking the legislature to take the next step.

The current Renewable Portfolio Standard bills in the state legislature are Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 121, which propose a transition to 80% renewable energy by 2040. In order to work out the details and address concerns raised by utilities, legislative committees must hold public hearings on these bills and allow the legislative process to function. Call your legislators and let them know you would like to see a hearing scheduled! 

Also before the end of January, the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 152, which would establish a Community Solar program. This program would allow Alaskans to purchase shares in solar gardens that are not on their own properties, opening solar power up to many more consumers and creating more job opportunities in our state. It would create standards for all utilities along the railbelt that are subject to the oversight of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. 

Great news: this is widely popular! Several of you called or wrote in to testify in support of Community Solar, and many more of you signed a petition online supporting the bill. No action was taken on the issue following the hearing, as legislators had additional questions for utility providers who were unable to be present due to weather conditions. 

Don’t let the alphabet soup get in the way of advocating for your community. All of these acronyms add up to big potential for our state, and you don’t have to be an energy expert to take action now. Sign up here to get involved with our advocacy, and stay tuned for how you can continue to support these major policy issues throughout the legislative session!

Together for a renewable future,

The Alaska Center

Hot Takes in a Cold Place: Something Smells Fishy in Southcentral Alaska

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Have you ever attended a public comment meeting that didn’t want the public to comment? 

I have. 

Six, actually. 

All in one week!

The owners of the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project held information–erm, “public comment”–meetings last week in Palmer, Anchorage, and Eagle River. 

They were certainly “informational,” to say the least. Charts, numbers, and graphics, oh my. Cherry-picked information to intentionally mislead information could be found throughout, such as:

  • Intentionally skimming over the fact that sockeye will be unable to spawn and rear their young in the lake with the current proposed plan
  • Claimed to restore 99.6% of habitat (below the dam – failed to mention the miles of potential habitat above the dam).
  • Pointed out that 11 out of 12 miles of river will be restored. Which sounds pretty good, if you forget that this is only about 1/3 of historic fish habitat destroyed by the dam.
  • Failed to mention that the dam currently supplies just about 2-3% of electricity on the grid. They’d rather mention the percentage that it makes up of their renewables portfolio – why is that, you might ask? Well, potentially because they’ve refused to build their renewables portfolio for so long. But what do I know?

Perhaps the most important thing that the project owners (represented by an out-of-state consulting group…) failed to mention is the century of cultural harm that this dam has inflicted upon the Native Village of Eklutna. 

They were, however, eager to mention the negotiation meeting they held with the Native Village of Eklutna in December.

The negotiations meeting… from which NVE’s position was not taken into account in the project proposal. 

And I forgot to mention; the Native of Eklutna, on whose land the dam was installed without consultation nor consent, did not get a voice at the meeting. The project owners, quite literally, refused to give the Native Village of Eklutna a seat at the table. 

After stripping them of their fish and river for one hundred years, after Eklutna, Inc. has provided land for schools, power plant sites, and utility easements, and at a time in which the country is finally recognizing the need for reparations and tribal sovereignty. 

They couldn’t find the time, nor humanity, to give Eklutna people an effective voice in the decision-making about their traditional Eklutna River salmon resources. 

Not one chair. 

Shameful, rises to mind. A few other words too, but I won’t include those here. 

These were not public comment meetings. Sure, they had a table (out of the way of their posters and presentation and scientists) to receive written comments. But the public was not allowed to voice their concerns in a forum for others to hear. When folks did begin to ask questions or provide comments in a public forum, as is typically allowed at a public comment meeting, representatives from MEA and CEA shut them down and directed them to talk with one of their “experts,” in private. 

Shameful. Shady. Something smells fishy in Southcentral Alaska. It’s not the Eklutna River.  And it doesn’t seem like it will be, anytime soon. 

Unless we take action. Join me in telling the project owners what we think about their plan, and their treatment of Eklutna people.

Eklutna, Inc. continues to take the stance that fishing access will be open to all Southcentral anglers once the fish return. Together, we can make this change for the better. For the future.

The most impactful thing you can do right now is submit a unique comment. If you don’t have time, here’s a prefilled comment.

The fish still have a chance. The Native Village of Eklutna still has a chance. Justice still has a chance. 


In solidarity for justice and the Eklutna River’s future,

Julian Ramirez, Salmon and Clean Water Organizer

The Alaska Center

Hot Takes in a Cold Place: 2024 Session is here, baby!

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Dear friends,

It’s that time of the year again – almost time for the illustrious Alaska legislative session to kick off!

Legislators are going back to Juneau by ferry and plane and settling back in for another 90 (or likely 120) days. In those days they’ll have to pass a budget (which means deciding on the ever-present PFD question), and everything else is up in the air–and there’s quite a lot of “everything else”. All the bills from last session that didn’t pass are still alive, with their previous committee referrals/etc, plus any new bills that come out this session (including today’s second tranche of pre-filed bills).

Luckily, like in previous sessions, we’ll be tracking what’s going on as it pertains to creating a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska (read: we care a lot about energy and climate legislation, protecting our waters, and creating the most engaged electorate in the nation).

This session is starting with a buzz in the air about energy: as Rep. Fields said in a recent op-ed, “2024 presents unprecedented opportunities for energy development in Alaska.” We agree. Between the clearly-state Senate Majority Caucus focus on energy, steeply declining Cook Inlet gas shortage (and the potential for astronomically-priced Outside LNG import contracts), federal investment opportunities from the Biden administration – there is a clear focus on where Alaskans get energy and how to make that more affordable. We’ll be pushing for some great energy bills (or the ideas within them) to pass this session, including:

  • Senator Wielechowski’s Community Energy Bill, which would enable Alaskans to own a share of a solar installation not located on their property, thus making solar more affordable and accessible to Alaskans including renters, folks who can’t afford a full installation, and more.
  • Senator Gale-Tobin and Representative Sumner’s Renewable Portfolio Standard bill, which would set required milestones for renewable energy development along the railbelt to help meet the needs of the current gas crisis
  • Governor Dunleavy’s Energy Independence Fund, which would create a Green Bank vehicle underneath Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, spurring more investment in renewable energy
  • A funding match to the federally-awarded GRIP Funding, which would provide for Transmission upgrades along the railbelt that make it possible to add large-scale renewables and balance our energy better. This is a match–meaning Alaska needs to put $206.5 million in to get $206.5 from the feds.

We’ll also be focusing on some crucial democracy issues, because how Alaskans can use our voices affects everything. You might have been tracking the proposed ballot measure (rife with campaign ethics violations) to repeal Ranked-Choice Voting and Open Primaries–we can expect to see this play out in the session again. You can bet we’ll work to make sure that goes nowhere this session, as well as any other changes that make it harder for Alaskans to vote. In fact, after years of the legislature considering great voting reforms, we’d love to see some pass, including:

  • Striking the witness signature requirement 
  • Creating a ballot curing process, which would allow Alaskans to fix any error on their ballot that would make their vote not get counted
  • Allowing for permanent absentee voting, meaning you could choose to vote absentee forever, rather than filing to vote absentee for every single election
  • Establishing same-day registration and early registration
  • And a whole lot more. 

And, of course, we’ll always be watching for any threats to our clean air and water. There will likely be many, like in previous sessions. Threats like Alaska taking over 404-Primacy might come up again–and we’ll let you know when and if they do, and how you can stand up against these threats to our state. As much as we want to pass the good this session, seizing on critical opportunities of time and place, it’s crucial that we are prepared to stop the worst threats.

We look forward to working with you this session to stand up for our clean air and water, healthy communities, and a strong democracy. Stay tuned for more updates–and, always, get involved! We hope to make it easy for you to stand up for the values that you care about–so don’t be a stranger, and reach out.

All the best,

Jenny-Marie Stryker

Political Director

The Alaska Center

It’s Time to Shift the Power in 2024!

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_layout_div _id=”4″ ][cs_element_text _id=”5″ ][cs_content_seo]Can you feel the energy? It’s time for a significant change – a shift in power!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_div][cs_element_gap _id=”6″ ][cs_element_button _id=”7″ ][cs_content_seo]Support Our Work – Donate!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”8″ ][cs_element_text _id=”9″ ][cs_content_seo]The concept of shifting power, whether in societal dynamics or energy generation, symbolizes a transformative journey with far-reaching effects. Socially, it means championing inclusivity, equitable decision-making, and elevating diverse voices for a fairer and more balanced society. In terms of electricity, power is the lifeblood of our modern existence. Technological progress has enabled us to harness and distribute energy like never before, but the methods of its generation often compromise our community’s well being and our planet’s future.
Together, let’s SHIFT THE POWER. Let’s redirect it towards individuals historically excluded from impactful decisions, and pivot away from energy sources that endanger our planet. Your support is crucial in this mission to Shift the Power!
This year at The Alaska Center, we set high goals: advocating for community solar legislation, safeguarding our cherished salmon, and protecting our democracy. Thanks to our generous donors, we achieved these goals and more. In collaboration with partners, we advanced climate policy initiatives, introduced community solar legislation, progressed in restoring salmon to the Eklutna River, and supported successful local candidates statewide.
In the Anchorage Assembly races, every candidate we endorsed won. In Fairbanks, we secured six essential seats in the Borough Assembly and School Board. Plus, our efforts in utility cooperatives resulted in electing two clean energy advocates to the Chugach Electric Association board.
Looking towards 2024, we’re energized and ready to harness this momentum. To Shift the Power, we need your continued support.
Your contribution will help us create a just, thriving, and sustainable Alaska. It will empower Alaskans who share our values to take meaningful action. With your help, we can make a significant impact in 2024!
It’s Time to Shift the Power – Support Us Today!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”10″ ][cs_element_button _id=”11″ ][cs_content_seo]Contribute Today & Power Our Work!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”12″ ][cs_element_text _id=”13″ ][cs_content_seo]Thank you for being a part of this journey,Alison Lum, Development DirectorThe Alaska Center\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

But who is the Regulatory Commission of Alaska anyway?

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If you pay an electric bill in Alaska, you may have noticed that our rates here are pretty high. In fact, they are the second highest in the country, coming in close behind Hawaii. Our high electric rates have a lot to do with the fact that we can’t share power in the same ways that states in the lower 48 can, but they also have a lot to do with our expensive fuel sources.

We have been living this way for years. Still, just a few weeks ago, Chugach Electric, our state’s largest electric utility, sent a proposal to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to raise their consumer rates by 6%. After the Municipal Light and Power acquisition in 2018, Chugach was required to file a rate case to ensure they were charging both districts equally. The case has already been filed, so unfortunately, we cannot stop the rates from increasing. But how can we ensure that our rates don’t continue to increase in the future?
You may have noticed in energy headlines that we here in Alaska are heading nose-first into a gas crisis. The natural gas in the Cook Inlet is becoming too expensive to drill, and the solution put forward by many utilities is to import Liquid Natural Gas. Importing would, without a doubt, result in another rate increase. We must ensure that we are creating systems that conserve what cheap natural gas we have left and promote a fast transition to renewable energy. These systems can and should be part of this iteration of rate design at Chugach. We could introduce rates encouraging commercial and large-scale consumers to take energy efficiency measures or adopt renewable energy solutions. We could create incentive programs for rooftop solar that conserve our natural gas supply and bring us closer to a renewable energy transition. This is now out of Chugach’s hands and into the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, but who is the Regulatory Commission of Alaska anyway?

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska exists to regulate public utilities in Alaska. They are supposed to make sure our rates stay manageable, and our electricity is produced safely. They approved the rate increase that Aniak saw earlier this year and the BP-Hillcorp deal. When hearing new rate designs, they ensure that our rates adequately promote the conservation of resources used in electricity generation. These proposed rates have a way to go on that front, so we want them to hear about it.
The comment period for Chugach’s rate filing is open until August 4th. We need the Regulatory Commission to hear from Chugach ratepayers like you so they know we care about where our energy comes from. We care about creating rates that promote renewable energy, and we care about conserving resources to keep costs low for as long as possible. If you want to comment, you can follow this link and submit a comment on case TA544-8.

We want to keep our rates low and invest in the future of Alaska, not the quick fixes that push our money and our jobs out of the state. Let the Regulatory Commission know that we know who they are and we are watching what they do.

Together for a renewable future,
The Alaska Center

Bro, Enough Bycatch

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TAKE ACTION: Submit Your Comment Today

As the skies taunt us off and on with sunshine and rain, many Alaskans are taking the time to fill our freezers and hit the waters. Whether it be rods and reels or nets of varying degrees of size from dip nets to trawlers. Our fishing economy accommodates all sizes and most Alaskans know how to fish sustainably to ensure the runs return and that Alaskans further inland have the opportunity to feed their families and sustain their way of life. These waters can be bountiful for all if we show a little respect and moderation.

But moderation isn’t everyone’s net, and many out-of-state trawling companies are reaping it all and sowing bubkis for us. Over the past ten years, the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska trawl fleets have caught, killed, and discarded approximately 141 million pounds of salmon, halibut, crab, sablefish, and other species, yearly. It’s time for some intervention before they wreck the party for everyone.

While Washington-based trawl fleets guzzle up record numbers, western Alaskan fishing communities, salmon fishing, snow crab fishing, and Bristol Bay red king crab fishing have been severely limited or cut off altogether. The doors swung too wide open to some excessive party boys, and now we are left with more than a mess; Alaskans are without food to feed our families.
The primary issue is a massive hit on bycatch species. Species that are just tossed away by massive trawlers are critical to our communities’ livelihoods and health. Closures and reduced access straight up harm our communities. Overfishing straight up harms our ecosystems and the diversity of species we need to repair our waters and our climate.
Do we really need that many fish sticks and fake crab dips at the risk of Alaskans’ livelihood? From our perspective, what we need is better regulation so that Alaskan salmon, crab and pollock can sustainably fill our freezers and our nets, and if you’re so inclined to have your fish in stick form, you can still have it as an option. Slap a little tartar sauce on it, and pretend it’s from some amorphous yellow-hatted fisherman. But we can’t keep damaging the livelihoods of the rest of our state’s fisherfolk, subsistence or commercial, because there is a worldwide market for questionable finger food.
It’s time to take action and demand that dirty little word “regulations.” Right now, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries is collecting comments to update guidelines for National Standards to better address environmental changes and inequity in federal fisheries management. We have the opportunity to say that the system is broken and give some real solutions on how to fix it before it’s too late.

The big loud drunk guy at the party can do some impressive feats, but it shouldn’t be at the risk of the broader community. We all deserve a chance to enjoy the party, right? It’s time that NOAA defines “fishing community” to include the importance of place-based communities directly tied to fisheries, including Alaska Native subsistence fisheries and Alaska coastal communities. It shouldn’t be on the party’s host to clean up the mess.

This comment period is important, and our priority should be a holistic approach that includes climate and ecosystem management. While there are numerous issues why our fish are in decline, this is an opportunity to do something tangible about it now.

Take action with us and get your voice heard before the drunk guy at the party and his well-funded friends crank up the karaoke and drown us all out with some crappy cover of Freebird.

In Salmon Solidarity,
The Alaska Center

Showing Up This Juneteenth

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]June marks 2 monumental movements of liberation – LGBTQ Pride Month, and Juneteenth. Without Queer, and Black voices in the fight for equity and justice, there can and will not be justice. Monday is a big day for celebration. This year, the Alaska State Senate finally passed Senate Bill 22, establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Alaskans and others across our country will commemorate and celebrate the day in 1865 when enslaved peoples in Texas finally learned they were free; two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. 
This Juneteenth, we honor the incredible work and leadership of Black Alaskans and communities. This is a time for allies to listen and learn where we benefit from the experience of the intersections of race, democracy, accessibility, and climate justice from the communities in the frontlines of oppression. It is a time to recognize our collective histories and commit to dismantling the structures that continue to do harm to marginalized communities. It is a time to heal together and be better for each other in this work.
This weekend we are excited to celebrate Black Excellence by joining celebrations in both Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Anchorage Juneteenth Citywide Celebration will be 3 days from Saturday, June 17 to 19th and will kick off with a parade at noon on the Delaney Park Strip. On the 17th and 18th, our Trailside team will be running the Kidzone again this year and will have a hula hoop station, coloring activities and a supervised bounce house. Our advocacy team will be tabling as well, so stop by and say hi and learn how you can help support more equitable and accessible renewable energy and democracy. 
In Fairbanks on Saturday June 17, we’ll be tabling at NAACP’s Juneteenth Celebration Festival in Fairbanks at Bernice Alldrige Park, starting at 12pm. Stop by and learn more about community solar and get ready for our local Interior municipal elections in October. 
For the work of a true Just Transition and celebration, we all must show up for each other and share in the wisdom that creates the futures we seek to live in. We hope you can make it out, build and celebrate with us. 
We look forward to seeing you!!

\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”5″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]More Hot Takes In A Cold Place\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]