Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK In Support of a Renewable Energy Fund

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Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK, US

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Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 3/6/07

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.matsugov.us/Assembly/documents/07-028rs_000.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION SERIAL NO. 07-028
A RESOLUTION OF THE MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA.

WHEREAS, an adequate, reliable, reasonably priced, and safe supply of electrical energy is necessary for Alaska’s basic infrastructure, economic, and technological development; and

WHEREAS, Alaska possesses vast amounts of renewable energy resources in the form of wind, geothermal, biomass, solar, tidal, wave, and hydropower; and

WHEREAS, the Alaska State Legislature established the Alaska Energy Policy Task Force in 2003 to review and analyze the State’s current and long term energy needs; and

WHEREAS, the task force found that one of Alaska’s long term energy needs is to “identify and evaluate long term fuel resources,” and recommended that the State should “increase the proportion of renewable in long term fuel sources;” and

WHEREAS, the cost of fuels such as natural gas and diesel that Alaskans rely on in large part to generate electric power and heat is steadily rising; and

WHEREAS, residents of rural Alaska pay far more electricity than residents who live on the Rail Belt energy grid; and

WHEREAS, there is virtually no fuel cost associated with renewable energy resources; and

WHEREAS, other states and nations are working successfully to develop their renewable energy resources; and

WHEREAS, the continued competitiveness and stability of the State′s economy requires that the Legislature consider national and international trends toward renewable energy development; and

WHEREAS, renewable energy technology development promotes both industry investment and job creation; and

WHEREAS, clean renewable energy has many environmental and health benefits; and

WHEREAS, locally produced renewable energy has many security benefits; and

WHEREAS, modern, affordable, and efficient renewable energy technologies now exist; and

WHEREAS, it is in the public’s interest for Alaska to develop its zero fuel cost renewable energy resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly finds that a Renewable Energy Fund for Alaska should be established as a separate fund to finance new utility scale renewable energy projects in Alaska with grants and loans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Fund should be funded by general appropriations so that Alaska can leverage a portion of today’s oil and gas wealth into a renewable energy industry that can and will provide perpetual benefits to Alaskans.