A summit next month in Fairbanks hopes to build collaboration and strategies that address the challenges of relying on oil-and-gas development. Organizers hope that the Just Transition Summit – January 8-10, 2020 – provides a space for “Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaboration to build critical thinking around economic and social transition.” “Just Transition is an exciting concept … about building a …
Anchorage nonprofit hosts open house on climate change
More than a dozen organizations will come together for an open house-style event to talk about climate change in Alaska on Tuesday. The event is hosted by Alaska Common Ground, a nonprofit that aims to facilitate community discussions on important public policy issues. “Climate change is obviously one of those issues,” said Kari Gardey, the program coordinator for Alaska Common …
Alaska business, environmental groups split over Pres. Trump’s environmental policy proposal
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) — A proposal by the Trump administration to revise an environmental law fundamental to all major development projects is drawing support from pro-resource development groups and concern from environmental groups. The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to assess the environmental and social impacts of proposed actions and hear public input before making decisions. President Trump’s …
Building a brighter economy with solar energy
Alaska is in a state of change – most strikingly evidenced by climate change and our economy. The economic recession- in part caused by and coupled with a decline in commodity pricing and generous tax structures – has lead to Alaskans leaving for new economic opportunities. From 2015 through 2019, the Alaska solar industry has seen exponential growth and a …
Alaska Wants to Fight Warming While Still Drilling for Oil
Alaska’s appetite for oil is as ubiquitous as the state’s proliferating examples of a changing climate. The Arctic is melting faster than anywhere else in the world. Permafrost is thawing and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Warmer air and ocean water have diminished sea ice. Native villages along the coast are moving inland to flee rising seas. But climate change …
The Anchorage election and clean energy
In the recent Anchorage election, voters sent a strong message about the future they want: one that is secure, just and thriving. Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to that future, and we need leadership that will dare to tackle it head-on. Right now, Anchorage has an urgent and exciting opportunity to address this challenge and set the …
Solarize Fairbanks looks to buy solar power in bulk
A campaign to get Interior Alaska residents to think about household solar power is gaining popularity. A meeting Monday evening at the Ken Kunkel Community Center will discuss “Solarize Fairbanks”, a community campaign to reduce the costs of solar panels. Standing outside the Chapin family home on a sunny hillside north of Fairbanks, Terry Chapin looks where he might put …
Solarize Homer generates local energy
Adding solar energy to a home or business is easier and cheaper when people band together. Forming a collective can bring down costs and make a project more attractive to installers. That’s the goal of Solarize Homer. You can find information on the Homer, Kenai, Fairbanks and Anchorage Solarize projects at kenaichange.org. or at akcenter.org To sign up for Solarize …
State ‘will be lenient’ on air and water quality enforcement amid COVID-19 pandemic
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – State regulators are scaling back enforcement of air and water quality protections until at least June and are asking regulated entities to self-report violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Governor Dunleavy has instructed his commissioners to do everything that we can in our power to stabilize the economy, to let the regulated community know, to let Alaskan …
Leg with Louie: From the Smoke, Another Policy Option
Legislation is moving along to provide property tax incentives for energy-efficient new construction, refurbishments, remodels, and renovations. The bill also authorizes municipalities to offer property owners air quality tax credits for improvements, “including new construction, refurbishments, remodels, and renovations that aid in improving the air quality in the municipality.” The bill leaves the task of defining what qualifies explicitly for …