A recent op-ed in the ADN by the CEO of the American Petroleum Institute — the national trade association representing the oil and gas industry — makes a good point: our country’s rich and varied energy resources is part of what makes America strong. However, to build a truly “diverse and resilient energy portfolio that reinforces America’s leadership,” we cannot forget about the increasingly important role of clean and renewable energy.
Increasing energy diversity doesn’t just mean drilling for more oil or gas — though we do need more oil produced here in Alaska — it requires clean energy technologies like wind and solar power, battery storage and more. In Alaska, these technologies offer enormous untapped potential to reduce high energy costs, create good-paying local jobs, and strengthen the resilience of our electric grid to ensure reliability for our homes, businesses, and communities.
With smart, strategic investments, clean energy can help lower utility bills for Alaskans, especially in remote areas burdened by high fuel costs. At the same time, building out our clean energy economy supports sustainable growth in our communities.
Clean energy tax credits are essential to making these kinds of projects viable, especially in rural states like ours. That’s why I’m proud of state leaders for standing up in support of these critical incentives. Let’s keep Alaska competitive by investing in a truly diverse energy future, one that truly embraces all our energy resources.
— Charisse Millett, Anchorage
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