Alaska Conservation Solutions

Voice your opinion at the Federal Level

• Contact Information for Senator Lisa Murkowski
• Contact Information for Senator Ted Stevens
• Contact Information for Congressman Don Young

Learn about the many different global warming bills in congress and how they compare here.

Voice your support for the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007 (S.1766)

This Act has been consponsored by Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski and was introduced on July 11, 2007. "The Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007 creates an economy-wide mandatory tradable-permits system that is modeled after the successful U.S. Acid Rain Program. By setting an annual target and allowing firms to buy, sell and trade credits to achieve that target, the program is designed to achieve the most cost-effective carbon reductions across the economy. The target and technology incentives are designed to avoid harm to the economy while promoting a gradual but decisive transition to new, lower-carbon technologies." The bill also ensures that revenues from the cap and trade allowances program address Alaska's pressing adaptation needs such as village relocation, infrastructure repair, low income assistance, and wildlife and habitat resiliance requirements.

While this bill is a very important step in the right direction, it could benefit from strengthening. The timeline for emission reductions sets much lower targets than those of many other proposed bills.

• Read the full bill here.
  
• Multiple files explaining different parts of the bill can be found here.
  
• Write your senators urging them to support the Low Carbon Economy Act and strengthen it by raising or eliminating the safety valve price of carbon allowances.

Write your congressmen urging them to support the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S.309)

This outstanding bill was introduced to the Senate January 16, 2007. It's aim is to amend the Clear Air Act to include controls on carbon emissions. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Consider writing your congressmen urging them to support this bill.

Sample letters for you to follow are here:

• S. 309

Join the Virtual March to Stop Global Warming!

Visit www.stopglobalwarming.org and add your name to the list of 450,000+ people who wish to join the fight against global warming! The site has latest headlines and other information to help you get the word out to others about global warming.

Let others hear your thoughts at the State Level

Speak out on Global Warming

In 2006, the Alaska State Legislature unanimously passed HCR 30, which created the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission. This commission consists of 11 Alaskans representing many different facets of our state. They are examining the adverse effects global warming is having on our state and discussing the best solution to these problems. The commission is conducting 8 hearings on global warming around the state.

• Communicate with your legislators with the Alaska State Public Opinion Message System
• The Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission will hold its next public hearing in Barrow on Thursday, September 27th. Invited testimony will occur from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and open public testimony will be from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.
• For the latest developments with the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission, visit their official webpage. A page of readings by the Assessment Commission and information about previous testimony can be found here.

Support Renewable Energy

"HB152 would establish a renewable energy fund to be administered by the AEA (Alaska Energy Authority). The bill would allow the Alaska Energy Authority, working in consultation with a stakeholder advisory committee, to provide loans and grants to fund viable renewable energy projects and feasibility and reconnaissance studies necessary to launch new renewable energy projects." (Alaska Conservation Voters)

The bill has passed the House and is currently in the Senate finance committee until the next state legislative session. In the meantime, write your state senators urging them to support the bill and provide funding for renewable energy options in Alaska.

• Find contact information for your state senator here.
• Read up on the current status of the bill at Alaska Conservation Voters' website.

Be heard at the Local Level

Urge your mayor to adopt the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

The mayors that join this agreement pledge to attempt to follow the Kyoto Protocol's emissions reductions goal in their own community. They also agree to urge their congressmen and senators to ratify the Kyoto protocol on a national level and to pass legislation that would create an emissions cap-and-trade program in the United States.

• Mayors from Anchorage, Juneau, North Pole, and Shishmaref have already signed on to the agreement. Urge other Alaskan mayors to follow suit.
• To help your mayor implement the terms of this agreement, urge them to work with ICLEI on emission reductions. ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) aids local communities in achieving sustainability through a number of programs.
• View a sample letter to Alaska Mayors here.
• View a sample letter to Non-Alaskan Mayors here.

Tell your utilities how you want things to be run

Urge your utility to adopt a net metering policy

A net metering policy allows residents who have their own renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind, to sell back unused energy to their utility. Golden Valley Electic Association has already adopted a net metering program called “SNAP.” Urge your companies to follow this standard and also a adopt net metering policy.

Urge your utility to use renewable energy

Alaska Energy Authority has created a Renewable Energy Atlas for Alaska. It is available online here for download. You can also contact REAP at 929-7770 for free print copies. This atlas shows potential energy resources all over Alaska. See what potential resources are in your area and urge your utility to pursue development of them. Learn how much of your energy comes from renewables by using our carbon calculator.

The Fire Island wind project is currently being examined as a possible source of green power. The 24 proposed wind turbines could produce up to 10% of Southcentral Alaska's energy needs at peak production. Studies are still being done on the feasibility of the project. The largest hurdle to making this project a reality is the intimidating up-front cost. Right now it is important to urge policymakers to appropriate funds for this project. Read an article on the project here.

Youth: Get Involved

Join or form a local chapter of AYEA!

Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) is a high school leadership program of the National Wildlife Federation that empowers teens to impact environmental issues through skills training, community action projects, and civic engagement opportunities. Six teenagers founded AYEA in 1998; today over 1,000 youth from over 25 communities have participated in the program.

AYEA has six regional chapters in Yakutat, Sitka/Mt. Edgecumbe, Anchorage, Homer, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Teens can form chapters with the support of our program staff. AYEA teens have implemented successful projects addressing pesticides and toxics, subsistence, recycling and waste reduction, air quality, and most recently, global warming.

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 907-339-3907.

Meetings:

• Anchorage AYEA meetings are held every other Wednesday from 5-6:30pm at the Alaska Center for the Environment, 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage. Call 339-3907 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for exact dates.
• To learn about AYEA meetings within your community or to start a local chapter please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 339-3907.
• Read AYEA's event blog here!
• AYEA's website is now available at http://www.ayea.org

Participate in the Campus Climate Challenge at your high school or college!

"The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the U.S. to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools. The Challenge is growing a generation-wide movement to stop global warming, by reducing the pollution from our high schools and colleges down to zero, and leading our society to a clean energy future." -www.climatechallenge.org.

The Campus Climate Challenge has teamed up with MTV for the "Break the Addiction Challenge," which breaks down the Campus Climate Challenge into simple steps and offers prizes for campuses who acheive these steps. Learn more about the Campus Climate Challenge and the Break the Addiction Challenge at www.climatechallenge.org.