In this issue of FCAC’s Energy Update Newsletter, we’ll be talking about real solutions vs. false solutions. We use the term “false solutions” to encompass anything that is put forward as a solution to the climate crisis, that is, for one reason or another, not actually a solution to the climate crisis.

This is for those who are interested in learning more about energy happenings in the state, but are having a hard time keeping track of all the players and moving pieces! Luckily, we’ve got people for that, and we want to make sure you’re in the loop.

We are calling on the Biden Administration and the Department of Energy to stop violently enabling the climate crisis and to instead reconsider and reverse their decision to approve the export application for the proposed Alaska Liquified Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Read more and take action at bit.ly/NOAKLNG

This movement is deep medicine for me - there is nothing more healing than being in a community moving towards a shared vision for the future - and it goes without saying that I am not leaving this movement, but by the end of this year, I will no longer be the Executive Director at FCAC.

In January, members of a diverse group of Fairbanks faith communities met for soup and joy-filled conversation on how we can make our community stronger by uniting in faith, combining our efforts in earth care and care for others, and working together.

On this day honoring his birthday, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the question: What can we learn from that legacy for the work we have laid before us?

This future doesn’t depend on the fossil fuel industry currently destroying our shared natural communities. The steps required to advance this just transition from an unsustainable economy to one that is regenerative are numerous, but they begin with a reevaluation of the state’s relationship to fossil fuel extraction and a reclamation of Alaska’s resources for Alaskans.

As Fairbanks North Star Borough residents, we are seeing the effects of climate change in sharp relief and have made our desire for climate action measures clear through broad public engagement in the process of developing a common-sense Climate Action and Adaptation Plan over the past year. Now, despite the popularity of the plan, fringe members of the assembly who are publicly opposed to climate action have taken control of the Climate Action Committee, abruptly dismissing all 6 of the highly qualified Climate Action Committee members and replacing them with a group of people who have an unclear level of commitment to seeing the plan through. This is an extremely unprecedented move and is disrespectful to the work and expertise of the former committee members.

The Golden Valley Electric Association Board met Monday evening, voting to decommission Healy 2, the largest coal plant in Alaska, and invest in a wind and battery project that will be the largest of its kind in the state due to grassroots community organizing!

The State of Alaska is opening a land sale to privatize public land under the guise of “food security” even though it likely won't impact actual food supplies for three decades. Many local residents are asking that the Nenana-Totchaket land sale pause until appropriate land analysis and Tribal consultations can be completed.