FCAC’s September energy newsletter: Action at all levels
In this month’s energy newsletter, we’ll be talking about the action that we need at all levels of leadership for a just transition, and how those levels affect each other. Our work locally is part of a massive web of action stretching across the state, the country, and the world. That net is so powerful, and so necessary, to enact the kind of change we need. Each level of change is inextricably linked - when we create change at the local level, that has untold effects rippling out across the rest of the web, and vice versa.
Aware of our place in that web, we can look for the connections - how national issues like the Willow project and proposed AK LNG pipeline are affected by the policies we make around oil and gas subsidies at the statewide level, and local issues, like a recent GVEA proposal to create a new renewable energy storage system, are affected by national issues, like federal funding recently made available through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Read on to learn more about these connections, and ways you can affect change at all these levels!
At the local level: GVEA gets federal funding for energy storage, further steps still needed
We’re calling on Golden Valley Electric Association to set a goal and tangible path to reach 100% renewable energy generation for our electricity generation, to quickly enact their Strategic Generation Plan, and to transition rapidly away from all fossil fuels.
It’s been over 1 year since GVEA passed their Strategic Generation Plan, which includes steps that will lower carbon emissions and transition electricity generation to more renewable sources. In the past year, GVEA has made progress by pursuing federal funding which will financially support their energy transition.
GVEA was recently awarded a $50 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop a long-duration energy storage (LDES) system in Healy. This new storage system will support the integration of large-scale renewables! GVEA is seeking funding from the PACE program to construct a 92 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) and to enter a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Nenana Solar Farm, LLC to purchase all outputs from a new 16 MW solar facility to be built in Nenana. Finally, GVEA is also seeking a loan and a grant under the New “Empowering Rural America” (ERA) Program for the interconnection of up to 150 MW of wind power, amongst other things. GVEA has received proposals to their Request for Proposals and we’re awaiting a decision to move forward on this large scale wind project. This pursuit, and awarding, of federal funding is important and we’re excited to see GVEA taking these steps.
However, we can’t let up the pressure for even more momentum towards renewables. We’re calling on GVEA to keep taking steps towards renewables by publicly supporting a state-wide Renewable Portfolio Standard. An RPS would set goals for renewable energy generation from Fairbanks through Homer and is a much-needed step to curb the climate crisis and transition away from fossil fuels.
While the ultimate decision on an RPS will come from our elected house and senate reps at the state-level, GVEA’s opinion holds a lot of power. That’s why we’re calling on the GVEA Board of Directors to pass a resolution of support for the Renewable Portfolio Standard to set renewable goals ending in 80% renewable by 2040 as outlined in House Bill 121 and Senate Bill 101. In a preliminary study from the National Renewable Energy Lab, it was found that transitioning to 78% renewables by 2040 is the most economical option to reduce energy bills for utility cooperatives from Fairbanks to Homer. The question of whether renewable energy is affordable has been answered, time and time again, and it’s time to realize that by passing an RPS for Alaska.
You can show your support by signing the RPS petition here and reach out to kenzley@fbxclimateaction.org to learn more about FCAC’s renewable energy work at the local and statewide level.
At the local level: Borough leadership scrapped the climate action plan, but we can get it back
This summer, we collectively mourned as the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan we had worked so hard on as a community was butchered, and then ultimately killed. But it doesn’t have to be over.
That plan we worked so hard on is still out there, and if we have Borough Assembly members that care about their constituents’ needs, we can get it passed.
To do that, we need to vote in our local election and make our voices heard. Early voting is currently underway, and there are many ways to vote.
Click below to get all the details on where, when, and how to vote!
At the statewide level: We’re calling for state legislation, like SB 114, that would stop the state from giving our money away to fossil fuel corporations.
Massive fossil fuel corporations from outside of Alaska have long leveraged their political power to accrue subsidies, tax breaks, and special treatment from regulators, claiming they need this special treatment for our state to economically survive. We must shift the tax structure away from subsidizing oil and gas companies to funding the transition of the state's energy grid and labor force to renewables.
SB 114 is a piece of state legislation that would confront three existing deficiencies with Alaska’s oil tax laws through three significant reforms–coming close to our KING! Petition and potentially generating over $1.3 billion in increased revenue for the state in 2024 alone, then ranging from $866 million to $579 million annually through 2033.
This would, first and foremost, stop handing Alaskan money out to corporations that are already making billions off of Alaskan resources. Secondly, it would remove the undue incentives currently in place for these companies to come in and extract endlessly. Once we’re not unnaturally propping up the fossil fuel industry, the economic picture will become clearer for everyone to see: that continued fossil fuel extraction is not economically feasible when compared to renewable energy. Continued investment in fossil fuels is throwing money toward a dying industry, and the second we take away that corporate welfare, it won’t look nearly as appealing. This would make it harder for the state to justify approving projects like Willow and the AK LNG pipeline, and it would make it easier to see that investment in renewable energy is the economically smart choice.
At our March for a Fossil Fuel Free Future, FCAC’s Keep it in the Ground organizer Arleigh was powerfully quoted in the News Miner calling on “Alaska legislators to change the state’s oil and gas tax structure and stop giving away millions upon millions of dollars to these fossil fuel companies that are lining their pockets” while “legislators are cutting things like education.”
Now is the time to call on our leadership on multiple levels to stop supporting fossil fuel projects and mobilize a large group of Alaskans to pressure our legislators to support SB 114 to drastically reduce fossil fuel subsidies in Alaska.
You can show your support by signing the KING petition here and reach out to arleigh@fbxclimateaction.org to learn more about FCAC’s keep it in the ground working group.
At the federal level: remind our leaders that Alaska is not a sacrifice zone, and we don’t need their extraction projects
Alaska is not a sacrifice zone, and this is a key time to voice your opposition to massive extraction projects as there are important comment periods coming up.
Arctic Refuge: The Biden administration is gearing up to hold a second Arctic Refuge lease sale as required by Lisa Murkowski’s dirty addition to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Comment on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to ensure it provides maximum protections, register for a virtual hearing on October 6, October 11, or October 17, and perhaps most importantly you can show up in person October 2 at 5pm at the Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave! More information & talking points.
You can also join Native Movement for a tailgate rally at 4pm in the Carlson center parking lot ahead of the public hearing on October 2nd - they’ll be giving out materials with information and talking points, Defend the Sacred signage, and cool swag.
The upcoming Arctic Refuge lease sale is a poignant reminder that eliminating oil industry subsidies would make all lease sales less attractive to prospective bidders. Not only do we need to respond to these immediate attacks on our lands, people, and ecosystems, but we also need to keep in mind the larger structural mechanisms keeping these projects coming - the fact that the Alaskan government continues to keep propping up a dying industry through public money. Make your voice heard on the Arctic Refuge, but also, work with us to help change the system overall.
Western Arctic (Reserve): Comment on the new proposed rule for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Reserve) by November 7. Ask BLM to prohibit oil and gas activities and infrastructure within special areas.
Ambler Road: Ask the Secretary of the Interior to revoke permits for the Ambler Road & stay tuned - the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 60 day public comment period is expected this fall.
Pushing forward on massive extractive mining projects, undertaken without free, prior, and informed consent from the impacted Indigenous people, in the name of renewable energy, is NOT the way forward to a Just Transition from fossil fuels. Now is the time to combat fossil fuel companies’ false positioning of renewable energy as an excuse to push through massive mining projects.
