HOT TAKES IN A COLD PLACE
#REALTALK WITH THE AKC
Entering the Rapids
May 13, 2022
The 32nd Alaska State Legislature is careening toward its grand finale. We all must remain vigilant. Obstacles approach fast.…
What we are fighting for
May 6, 2022
Join us May 7th from 5-7 p.m. at the Alaska Native Heritage Center for our spring auction where we will celebrate the fight to grow Democracy.…
Earth Day and the Electric Cooperative
April 22, 2022
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation eyeing take over of federal wetlands permitting program under Clean Water Act Section 404.…
An Agency Boondoggle
April 16, 2022
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation eyeing take over of federal wetlands permitting program under Clean Water Act Section 404.…
A Problem of PFAS
April 9, 2022
SB 121 bans PFAS foams when the Federal Aviation Admin stops forcing their use, please plan to testify in support of SB 121 on Tuesday April 12th.…
Fair Maps and Power Grabs
April 1, 2022
New legislative district boundaries are drawn every ten years based on the most recent census data. In 2021 the Alaska Redistricting Board adopted a final redistricting plan for Alaska, which delineates the districts legislators will represent. The politics of redistricting are rife with power grabs, and the maps are almost always litigated. The balance of power in the Legislature is closely divided between Republicans and the Tri-Partisan coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. The Redistricting Board is composed of a majority of Republicans, and the outcome was a map that was challenged in court on numerous fronts. The central point was that the state Senate district pairing part of east Anchorage and Eagle River constituted an “unconstitutional political gerrymander.” The court agreed and gave the Redistricting Board until April 15 to revise its maps. Each Senate District contains two House districts. In the case of the Eagle River/East Anchorage gerrymander,…
A DEC Budget Trap
March 25, 2022
So far, only three states in the United States have assumed primacy for dredge and fill permitting in wetlands. One of those states – Florida – assumed permit primacy in the waning days of the Trump administration. Like Governor Sean Parnell before him, Governor Dunleavy wants Alaska to pay for wetland permitting that is now being paid for by the federal government. The rationale for this proposed forever budget increase paid for by our schools and universities and roads in lean years is that there is an expectation that there will be a return on investment. Through far more relaxed permitting requirements, zero Tribal consultation, and minimal enforcement, Alaska will see a massive influx of Mines. Governor Dunleavy convinced the state House Finance Committee to add $5 million to the operating budget so that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation could hire 32 full-time staff. This means 32 new full-time…
It’s baaaaack!
March 18, 2022
HB 398 creates more bureaucracy, expense, and red tape that strips Alaskans of our right to protect our waters. This bill is bad.…
Wetland Permitting
March 11, 2022
The Dunleavy Administration, DEC, mine promoters want state primacy on permitting to streamline industrialization of areas like the Bristol Bay.…
Renewable Portfolio Standards drive innovation and economic development
March 4, 2022
RPS policy offers an exciting future for the State of Alaska, with economic benefits, jobs, innovative technologies, and lower rates.…
Entering the Rapids
The 32nd Alaska State Legislature is careening toward its grand finale. We all must remain vigilant. Obstacles approach fast.…
May 13, 2022
What we are fighting for
Join us May 7th from 5-7 p.m. at the Alaska Native Heritage Center for our spring auction where we will…
May 6, 2022
Earth Day and the Electric Cooperative
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation eyeing take over of federal wetlands permitting program under Clean Water Act Section 404.…
April 22, 2022
An Agency Boondoggle
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation eyeing take over of federal wetlands permitting program under Clean Water Act Section 404.…
April 16, 2022
A Problem of PFAS
SB 121 bans PFAS foams when the Federal Aviation Admin stops forcing their use, please plan to testify in support…
April 9, 2022
Fair Maps and Power Grabs
New legislative district boundaries are drawn every ten years based on the most recent census data. In 2021 the Alaska…
April 1, 2022
A DEC Budget Trap
So far, only three states in the United States have assumed primacy for dredge and fill permitting in wetlands. One…
March 25, 2022
It’s baaaaack!
HB 398 creates more bureaucracy, expense, and red tape that strips Alaskans of our right to protect our waters. This…
March 18, 2022
Wetland Permitting
The Dunleavy Administration, DEC, mine promoters want state primacy on permitting to streamline industrialization of areas like the Bristol Bay.…
March 11, 2022
Renewable Portfolio Standards drive innovation and economic development
RPS policy offers an exciting future for the State of Alaska, with economic benefits, jobs, innovative technologies, and lower rates.…