WHEREAS, clean and renewable energy is part of Alaska’s energy infrastructure and future. It includes generation from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro, tidal, biomass, geothermal, and hydrogen sources, but it also includes nuclear, natural gas, and carbon capture technologies as well as energy storage; and
WHEREAS, with Alaska’s abundance of renewable and clean energy sources, our State is poised to be a leader in energy independence for its citizens and our fellow Americans without reliance on foreign dictatorial regimes; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Geological Survey, America relies on China for 80 percent of our rare earth minerals that are essential to modern life and making the transition to a sustainable energy future. Alaska is home to 49 of the 50 critical minerals, including graphite, cobalt, and rare earths that can help boost a responsible power grid and battery technology in the face of an energy transition and will serve an important role to reduce foreign reliance; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is advancing the Alaska LNG Project, which is the only fully permitted export project on the U.S. West Coast and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 77 million tons per year while lowering energy costs and improving air quality for Alaskans; and Cook Inlet is home to the largest carbon storage potential on the U.S. West Coast; and
WHEREAS, the clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of growth in Alaska over the last decade, with public and private investments in renewable energy projects across Alaska. New renewable energy investments serve to increase access to affordable, local energy resources that keep energy dollars circulating in local economies, and create new jobs and businesses; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans would greatly benefit from an energy independence fund, known as a green bank, to develop and market clean energy loan programs and products for Alaskans, catalyze the clean energy market in Alaska through private sector co-investment, and receive federal funds that may become available for clean energy development; and
WHEREAS, in May 2023, the State of Alaska was host to the largely attended Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, and fostered a robust discussion between the public and private sectors on energy resilience, reducing energy costs, and the future of energy in Alaska and beyond, and will host the third annual event in May 2024.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 25 – 29, 2023 as:
Alaska Clean Energy Week
throughout the State of Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans, local governments, corporations, and small businesses to support common sense solutions to address the United States’ evolving economic and energy needs and tap into Alaska’s limitless potential to develop clean, sustainable energy solutions for our future.
Dated: September 25, 2023
