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, and geothermal 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, including natural gas, geothermal, wind, tidal, hydro, and solar, our State is poised to be a leader in energy independence for its citizens without reliance on foreign dictatorial oil 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 30 of the 35 critical minerals, which can help boost a responsible power grid in the face of an energy transition and will serve an important role to reduce foreign reliance; and
WHEREAS, we must harness the power of Alaska entrepreneurs and small businesses and ensure strong partnerships to assert American energy leadership and dominance in the global marketplace and assure low-cost reliable energy here at home; 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 2022, 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.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 26 – 30, 2022 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 26, 2022
