The Alaska Energy Authority published a report this week that sets a goal of producing 50% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
The report, titled Alaska Energy–A First Step Towards Energy Independence, identifies and prioritizes energy projects and funding sources. It is not a detailed plan of action, but a collection of options for Alaska communities to develop their own renewable resources, incliuding hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, ocean and solar power.
Alaska has abundant resources, but developing them is difficult, because of low usage levels and communities that are separated by long distances. However, if the state can build an 800 mile oil pipeline and a 1,700 mile natural gas pipeline, it should be able to construct transmission lines for renewably sourced electricity as well.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said "While lower crude oil prices are reducing the costs of energy today, we must remain committed to achieving energy security for our future economic well-being."
On January 16, the state’s Energy Coordinator Steve Haagenson released a list of 77 projects recommended for funding from Alaska’s $100 million renewable energy fund.
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There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources. Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. OPEC will continue to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel. The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. Oil is finite. We are using oil globally at the rate of 2X faster than new oil is being discovered. We need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail ourselves out of our dependence on foreign oil. It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to charge and drive an electric car. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. Jeff Wilson has a really good new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. He explores our uses of oil besides gasoline, our depletion, out reserves and stores as well as viable options to replace oil.Oil is finite, it will run out in the not too distant future. WE need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail America out of it’s dependence on foreign oil. The historic high price of gas this past year did serious damage to our economy and society. WE should never allow others to have that much power over our economy again. I wish every member of congress would read this book too.
http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com