Alaska proposes $1.2 billion program to help offset energy costs
Published Thursday, May 15, 2008
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JUNEAU -- Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday proposed a $1.2 billion, one-year plan to help offset the high energy costs paid by the state's residents.
Grants totaling $475 million would be given to utility companies operating in the state, to be used to lower customer bills.
Palin said she expects monthly bills to be reduced by 60 percent because of the state aid.
Most residents also would receive $100 Energy Debit Cards monthly under the proposal, which requires legislative approval.
The cards would be authorized for purchases from Alaska energy vendors, like heating oil distributors, natural gas and electric utilities, gas stations and other retail fueling stations.
Cost of this program is expected to be $729 million.
The state of Alaska is awash in oil wealth while its residents, especially those in rural areas, pay some of the highest fuel costs in the nation.
Palin said it's appropriate that some of the extraordinary wealth being generated by Alaska's resources be directed back to its residents.
She added it's incumbent on the state to put forth the program and not look to the federal government for a bailout.
"We want to answer the call from across Alaska to provide some relief to our homes, to our businesses," Palin said. "We are not going to go to D.C. for help. We can take care of this energy problem ourselves, with our own revenue."
The Legislature must still sign off on Palin's plan. Lawmakers return to work June 3 to review a gas line proposal.
Community Discussion
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I like this idea, cant wait to see all the comments.
So, she's giving us bread, now where's the circus?
This a great step forward but still does not do much for a lot of people who rent. The least of my worries is my electric bill. Since I live in a place with my heat included in the rent I do not directly purchase the heating oil. Am I to believe that my landlord will pass along his saving to me? Even being the great guy he is I highly doubt it.
I know most around here at against direct payments to residents but I think it is the only fair way for every resident to recieve relief. Give it fairly or not at all.
For the record I personally do not need assistance as I live within my means. If the state feels like they should help then by all means I will accept the help.
Grudge, if you get the PFD you will get the $100 month credit for use on gas
With fuel oil going through the roof, is your landlord raising the rent monthly to keep up with his sky rocketing expenses? As nice as you are, have you offered to pay him more to help offset the burden?
I just moved into the place in January so my rent is inline with current oil prices.
By no means am I complaining about my situation. I have made cuts and changed a lot of ways I live to help offset the cost. I know as long as I drive a full size truck I can't complain about rising prices with a straight face.
Are you saying the PFD is the requirement for this monthly credit or are you saying I can use it as the monthly credit? If the latter then are suggesting that PFD was set up to offset the price of gasoline originally?
A good deal, but lets keep the heat on "so to speak." This is tremendous, particularly if it helps keep folks out of the poorhouse.
This should be just the start. We need an Alaska energy planning and policy agency - so we don't find ourselves in this bind year after year.
Alaska had an Alaska Energy Authority, it was killed off, probably in retaliation for Susitna not being built. Oh to have that terribly expensive (at the time) 6 cents per kilowatt hour energy today. That is what we'd be paying more or less. At the time it was horribly expensive.
I mentioned this in another column yesterday, that the AEA built all these boondoggle hydro projects, mostly in the Gulf of Alaska perimeter. All were boondoggles of their day (yes they could have been built for much less), but irrespective of their cost, today they are all money savers. Petersburg and Wrangell have 8-9 cents per kwh retail costs from Tyee.
This state has huge renewable energy resource sources, but who is planning to leverage these for the benefit of all Alaskans? Nobody to this point. This needs to change. Wind in Delta, wind in Nome, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The Aleutians are a veritable storehouse of wind, geothermal and tidal energy. These can benefit our entire state. We need an state policy, planning and development entity to work with the private sector to get these developments moving.
An energy policy entity must be part of the plan and solution.
Thank you Governor Palin for the first step. But the rapidly raising energy cost go beyond just rebates to the oil companies and the utilities. Food prices are climbing out of sight, too.
What assurances that the $475 Million grants of OUR MONEY will go to reduce the monthly energy costs, and not just be a profit for the utilities, while ALASKANS' utility bills continues to climb?
Some ALASKANS don't own cars and trucks, what relief is being given to the in-state airplane travel costs? A $100 a month debit card doesn't begin to cover the added costs of air plane ticket to almost anywhere in rural Alaska.
Governor Palin, it is time to stop the non-sense that ALASKANS pay the price for OUR OIL AND GAS at lower 48 prices, PLUS. We shouldn't have to pay any more than the cost to produce OUR RESOURCE.
Turn off the valve for the EXPORT of ALASKAN'S oil and gas until the energy needs of ALL ALASKANS are met, at prices we can afford to pay. And don't put any more money in the piggy bank for a rainy day because you are going to have to build a new "pork barrel vault" for the windfall profits, while ALASKANS are caught in a major thunderstorm.
This is great, more free stuff. Can we do this every year?
Let's review the mechanics of this $1.2 Billion freebie.
Hmmmm. So $1.2 Billion of our state oil money will be divveyed up among us 650,000 residents, with $1200 for direct use debit cards and most of the rest to utility companies for lower electric rates?
Since our per head share is about $1846 each, I guess we only have to pay the IRS income tax for the debit cards, not the part going to the utilities. This will help with the gasoline bills for 12 months as I use about 400# gallons per year; ditto with my wife.
However, for those of us along the Railbelt who don't heat our homes with cheap natural gas like those in Anchorage but use heating oil instead, $1.2 Billion could go a long way toward building a small-diameter natural gas line to Fairbanks, Nenana, Mat-Su, etc. so we don't freeze in the dark while waiting for the Next Great Pipeline. Utilities could use it to generate power too. And that savings would last more than one year
What happens next April 15 when you pay the piper on this "FREE LUNCH?"
What about those individuals who missed the PFD by days. I permanently moved here on 1/15/07 and therefore was not eligible for the 2007 PFD. Yet my energy costs are not any less than those who are eligible for the PFD. This windfall should be tied to either property ownership or utility accounts not if an individual is on the PFD list. As a previous commenter stated, what about those individuals who illegitmately receive a PFD and live out of state. The program will be a good one but the logistics of the distribution needs to be cleaned up.
ok soo whats the gimic shes tryin to do? do we get higher taxes? or more taxes that dont mean anythign to us? for christs sake we pay taxes here in fairbanks where they dont in anchorage or other places unlike fairbanks does,ive never been in a place that pays taxes and stuff is high priced,migh as well get faribanks classified as a village instead of a small city the way we pay taxes here.
What, they're going to set this up so we can't buy beer with the money?
Good.
Some good comments and criticisms here, but remember, this is a one year plan being set out in a special session. Some changes to the plan will probably occur before it's finalized. Let's make energy a top priority in the upcoming election by demanding ideas and answers from candidates.
The handout should not be made permanent, but if Sarah holds it as a short term plan and works toward some longterm solutions, I won't complain. She's following the state constitution and benefiting everyone (well, almost everyone) with our resource wealth.
Can you imagine if Frank was still governor? He'd take the state's windfall and buy himself an ocean liner for when he needed to get to the Aleutians. Think about that before you complain about Sarah. At least she thinks of us first.
This is an excellent start. I normally don't agree with The_Alaska_Curmudgeon, but right-on in this instance regarding the special session. Now that a basic plan has been suggested...let the meat-grinders work it over in Juneau and see what kind of sausage comes out.
How could anyone ever disagree with me? Sheesh, the idea!
Thanks Sarah. You have once again endeared yourself to we average Alaskans and made us feel EXTRAORDINARY!! We thank you. I have been calling the legislature since I got home from work and letting them know that I support this plan, and I want them to do that as well. How can they not?? It would be political suicide for them to do otherwise unless they had a better plan, and I do not believe they do. Its not hard to see why our Governor has the highest approval rating of ANY sitting Governor in history. She is the BEST!!
Not sure how I feel about this. Hats off to Gov. Palin for acting, instead of talking, and state aid is better then federal aid but welfare is welfare.
Not sure how I feel about this either. I mean, the people in the bush, then the interior, then Juneau's problem, are the worst, and Anchorage folks dont have an issue aside from gasoline. I wish it were a little more fair....but I do like her comment "We are not going to go to D.C. for help. We can take care of this energy problem ourselves, with our own revenue". Pretty cool. Pretty Alaskan.
This is almost too good to be true! There has to be a catch in it somewhere, or our Governor is the real deal! I like the fact that its not cash in our pockets but will be regulated to energy costs expenses that will cut back on all the illegitimte PFD recipients. The truth is that energy costs does have a lot of interior Alaskans pinned down pretty hard. I hope they can work this thing out and clean it up so that it works. As others have said we dont need Federal milk on this we have plenty of our own milk in our state and its good that they are doing this. I have heard lots of rumors of folks getting the biggest dividend we have ever seen this October and using it to move south! Something like this might slow down the ship jumping we have been foreseeing in teh interior. Saw the other day that interior Alaska residents have the highest energy costs in the nation and I have to agree with that, man will it be nice to cut that back some. Way to go Gov Palin!
This is not welfare. This is one way to fulfill the constitutional obligation of maximum use of our resources. We can't use crude oil in our cars or furnace, but we can use debit cards from the sale of the crude to buy fuel. Thank you governor for listening to us Alaskans.
This is not a done deal yet people. Call the legislature at 452-4448 or sent an online message at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/ and let your voice be heard.
Back of the envelope calculation suggests this plan could make heating with electric heat substantially cheaper than heating with oil (~3K/yr instead of 4K, assuming "new" electric rate of 0.10/kwh and $4.50 heating oil) - so if that happened, then I think we'd be sunk on the line that says electric companies would get money at the end of the year for reductions in kwh usage - b/c many in Fbx would suddenly *increase* their electric consumption!
We'd (Fbx) be left out of what we really need - money for capital projects for more affordable power.
I'd rather see the money spent on infrastructure. The small diameter gasline with outtakes at Coldfoot, Yukon River, Fairbanks, and extensions to Delta, Nenana, and points south would help us much longer than a year. We know the oil companies will never let the price of oil drop. Wind power units or geothermal in locations where they are practical would also help us long term. The money given to PFD receivers will end up in China or the lower 48 and not help us significantly. Tears are already falling over next year's costs.
The small gasline in not viable. The economics of the small line are just not there. We need the economy of scale of the big line to Valdez to deliver cheap gas for Alaska.
Interesting how many harsh critics of quote "government handouts" unquote suddenly change their tune when *they* are the ones who stand to benefit . . .
I think this is a good temporary fix and I applaud the Governor for doing what is right. All of us need to work together to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
it's not really welfare. we are an energy state. per the constitution that energy we have as a resource in this state belongs to us. this is the states way of shuffling some of the energy back to us (it was already ours anyway) for use at home. we DO need a permanent fix. this is good for the short term. (and frankly, i still think we should let the market determine the outcomes)
i don't think every pfd recipient qualifies. i think just the head of the household does.
Kids do count. If you have four or more kids, looks like you will get free heat and gas for a year. Also 60% reduction in your G.V. bill.
So Juneau has problems with their electric and relief is on the way. I for one have no problem paying my electic bill. The heating oil is killing us in Fairbanks. Some people use as much as 200 gallons in January, That's $1000 @ 5.00 per gallon. So with my $100 dollars I can be nice and warm for only $900. Thanks Sarah you have just bought youself a second term and for only $100 per vote.
i had to laugh when i heard that the poor people of juneau were gonna have to pay more the 11 cents a kwh...i live in tok and pay 42 cents kwh...i am curious if people there get the same energy assistance based on household size that i do here in tok...i think her plan is a good start...but 100 bucks a month means i have to save for 5 months to buy a 100 gallons of heating fuel...hardly a drop in the bucket...
adn.com has a more complete story on this that will answer many of the questions posed here (kids, IRS, etc.). John Harris worries about fraud with the debit cards--people selling them, and using the money to buy other things. So what? One way or another, the debit cards can only be used for fuel. One way or another, fuel prices are really hurting our buying power for everything else, whether it's food, medicines, or simply good ol' beer. Apparently we'd have to pay federal income tax on the debit cards--that's a downside I hope we can avoid. It would be nice to see Ted and Don's last act in office getting an exemption for that. Fuel is so integral to all other parts of the economy that it really doesn't matter how we spend the money, but the relief--essentially a forced reduction in a painfully high price--will help all around.
Thanks Governor Palin. If other republicans behaved like you (treating people with respect), I might consider voting for them.
Stealheadaak: Agree with you. I have no problem paying my electric bill but when I last bought 150 gallons of #2 diesel when oil was at $100 a barrel cost me $556.50. Guess if you have 5-6 kids or live in an apartment where heats included, this is a good deal. My only solution I guess is to change over to electric heat if it's going to be 60% cheaper and won't have to put out $1000 a month for heating oil. Too bad they didn't listen to the input from Jim Crawford and Denny Schlofeldt regarding an energy program where all Alaskans are treated equally: rebate amounts EQUAL to accommodate statewide temperature differences and BTU's to equalize energy sources available.
Wonder how much this program is going to cost to administer? A simple and immediate solution to the problem would have been to sell royalty oil at a cost that equals the natural gas from the Cook Inlet oil fields. And yes, I know many of you are gonna say, can't quit whining but as far as I'm concerned, heating oil is our biggest problem instead of gas for our cars or paying our electric bill. Anchorage wins again, not only are they are going to continue receiving the cheapest source of heating but receive more money to cover their already low costs.
Good point, Joy--Anchorage wins again. The benefits of this plan disproportionally benefit Anchorage, the region that has suffered the least pain. Still I like this plan as a starting point, and hope it's only improved through a special session, as legislators from everywhere-but-Anchorage tweak it toward true fairness.
We Alaskans are so wrapped in this love/hate relationship with energy costs. If oil prices were low, we'd have no need for this whole discussion, but we'd be having a different discussion about how to pay for very basic government services. We probably can't do much to help ourselves in regard to transportation fuel costs--they are set by the vehicles we buy and use and larger world oil markets. But we could do much more for heating and power supplies in our homes and businesses. Take advantage of the great deal Fred Meyer has on low-energy bulbs this week. Push for some of this surplus to fund more renewable, clean energy projects. Push for more of this surplus to invest in greater efficiency.
We need to be building the Permanent Fund up to $150 Billion to $200 Billion dollars if we're ever going to achieve any long-term autonomy in this State, where the government can then fund itself in a limited manner from the interst resulting from a portion of the investments in that fund, simultaneously continuing to 'grow' the principal.
In that regard, I'm hoping that this is a VERY short-term fix, and that a long-term energy plan remains the primary goal, with that 'plan' ultimately being brought to fruition, to the degree that we can directly benefit from our jointly-owned resources, rather than nickling and diming away at the very fund that might provide us with long-term limited government without a heavy tax burden upon the People.
I too have mixed feelings about this, but I also acknowledge that I'm fretting my next electric bill in a serious way, based both upon what I've come to understand about the soon-to-arrive fuel surcharge increases, as well as the comments written by another poster in this paper the other day, about his recently-arrived electric bill, and the very real increase he just incurred due to that same surcharge.
It's been a while since I felt real anxiety about bills, and getting by. Perhaps a humbling reminder of how good things have been is o.k., in contrast to the current times, but I don't like the feelings I've experienced lately about future prospects -AT ALL-.
I fear that this is a very temporary fix that could cause some damage over time, especially if it adds any sort of delay or lessening of the sense of urgency in re. to addressing long-term needs..
Palin for President
Man, some people would not be happy if you hung them with a gold rope!!
Propping up local demand for an increasingly scarce and sought after resource will do us no good in the long run! There needs to be a urgent drive towards getting us all off oil as fuel, and diesel in particular for us here in Fbx. It will never come down significantly from where it is as long as demand remains inflexible.
Next year it will be an expected entitlement. It could just be included in the existing entitlement as a boost in the PFD.
Wonder how much it will cost to switch from NG to electric? I think it is a good start, but I never had a problem paying the GVEA bill either (maybe, but with this new surcharge who knows?), just NG. Some posters who are critcal of Gov. Palin maybe should move to another state, and not the people who need relief from these high home heating bills, but want to remian in Alaska, at least she is hearing us and trying. After reading comments from a couple of posters above, who have nothing to say good about anything anyway, is ADIOS, go to another state!
James, have you left the state anytime recently? I can say without a doubt that there are places riding on easy street compared to what we are getting into here in the interior. It is a crying shame that gas in Idaho is over $.50 cheaper than it is here. I could throw a rock and hit the pipeline, in the other direction the refinery.
I think its great that gov Palin is stepping up to help us out...but I have my doubts as to weather GVEA will ACTUALLY pass the savings on to its customers. I seriously doubt it.
This just feeds you freakin' petro junkies and goes straight to the oil companies' bottom line; like giving out free heroin to drug dealers. When are ya'll goin' learn to drive a smaller car/truck or ride a bike and turn your damn thermostat down. This giveaway is a good deal for me, it pays 100% of my annual fuel bill, and I'll bank what I save for retirement in the tropics!
In addition - James, what makes you think there will be anyone left to leave anything to? My kids are already talking of leaving the state! Future generations start with us, not them! We need to make it cheap so they will stay and not leave. Many of my freinds kids got there degree's from college and left the state as soon as they got a job down in America. It is up to us to make a future for future generation's in Alaska, whatever it takes.
Those of us how pay over 60 cents a khw and over $6 a gallon for gasoline, heating oil, and diesel, are very happy with the help Governor Palin proposes. It is clear that she knows that no program ever will make all people happy but this is a great IMMEDIATE step to keep us going until a short-term, median, and long term solution can be found to lower all of our energy costs across Alaska.
We do need an Alaska State Energy Policy and Plan and I believe the governor is working on that.
We need to be working together on this. We in the villages are a part of the rest of Alaska as citizens under the Alaska State Constitution. Our Constitution mandates that our resources be developed for the maximum benefit for ALL Alaskans.
I am confident that at some point in the very near future we will have an energy policy that is fair and equitable to all, an economic policy that will add value to our non-renewable and renewable natural resources before we ship them out, and an Alaska attitude and feeling among all of us, that no matter where we live, we will be given equal treatment that we all want for everyone in Alaska.
I applaud Governor Palin for seeing our current energy crisis situation and is doing something about it NOW! I am thankful.
Like some of the other posters here I wish this money would be spent on alternative energy. all we are doing is giving the money back to big oil.Dont get me wrong my hand will be out for free money just like everyone. If i had a choice we would be spending on wind,geothermal,solar,hydro,small gas line,large power plant at prudhoe bay. Anything that will last longer than a one year giveaway. Everyone google geothermal heat pump when you get a chance dont know if it would work here but if it would it would be great.
Hope GVEA can triple capacity by November because I am installing electric heat tomorrow. How do you keep people from selling for cash the debit cards? Likely just distribute the whole $1.2 billion in monthly PFD cash checks and tell Alaskas pay your own energy bills, or buy a 35 mpg car or install a wood stove or hay go to Hawaii. But realize this is only a one time fix. Or when $200 oil arrives it will be a 2 years fix and or and or... What about building Hydro, Nuclear plant or Wind Farms and give to power companies to reduce rates long term?
I support the Governor, but investment by individuals in alternative energy equipment like wind, solar and hydro for home power should be allowed as well.
I think that we all agree that there needs to be a long term plan for all Alaskans to reduce energy costs, but I assure you that you wont find very many individuals out of our 80,000 person poulation (The North Star Borough) that wouldn't invite a break on energy costs right now! It cracks me up that the Anchorage residents paying for the 2/3 natural gas as opposed to heating oil that negatively critiqe this plan. Start paying $900 a month during winter to heat your house to 67 degrees and keep the lights on and you'll understand what many interior residents are feeling!
Thank you Governor Palin. you have used your position to try to help those who voted you in because that was what you had promised to do in your campaign. though i didn't vote for you, you are my governor and i have all the faith in you. yes, there are going to be critics for any plan that comes to the top but hang in there and keep going at the solution to solve this crisis. this is an immediate solution to an immediate problem...and i have faith in you that you will continue to find long term solutions. i'll stick my neck out and bash those critics who, no matter what's presented, will never be happy. where is that gold rope?
Please tell me how a Toyota Prius is going to keep my house at 67 degrees, I'll buy one today!...grin
This is a great first step. Before you treat a wound you have to stop the bleeding and I think this is a good start. We'll have to see what else the administration has in mind.
I can't believe some of the comments from people who have "better ideas." Mostly I think they just like to complain. If the governor had announced that this money had been used to build a small diameter pipeline to Fairbanks, or any of the other infrastructure suggestions posted here there would be angry posts about why the governor isn't doing something to help Alaskans deal with oil prices right now!
I'm not saying that we shouldn't be looking for other ways to help ease the energy situation, I'm just saying that dealing with the immediate need is a good move and I am pleased that we have a governor that is taking action.
I worry about how these debit cards will work for rural Alaskans. Rural communities -- and mean REALLY rural, beyond Bethel and Barrow and Nome -- operate on a cash basis. How will the debit cards be usable in communities that are not set up to accept them as a form of payment? I understand the reasoning in not wanting to give out cash payments that might get spent on other things, but I feel this idea needs some serious thought. It is good that the governor and legislature is trying to find solutions, though.
I applaud Governor Palin. This is a short-term fix, but lets assume that since she has taken steps to make our lives easier right now--she has a year to work on the long term plan.
Let's also hope that in the bill proposed there will be some sort of enforcement for the utility companys to pass on the savings.
James--if it weren't for those irresponsible people putting their PFD's and well earned money back into the state--we would have a much bigger problem. When the debit cards,$60 savings, tax rebates and PFD's come the people that don't need the help should put yours aside for the alternative energy equipment. Thanks again to Palin for standing up for the people of this state--whether they like it or not.
I would rather see $100 million of this grant money spent on education.
I am amazed that the extreme environmentalist's have managed, to convince quite a few people that Anwar is a rain forest?? what a shame.
Our represenatives travel on junkets worldwide, to educate themselves on issues. Well maybe it is time to spend some money and educate people on the realities of Anwar.
Round up all the represenatives along with a film crew, head up to the Arctic coastline of Anwar. I believe when people see the vast barren, brown rocky area that holds the best potential for huge oil and gas finds, they will drop this stubborn resistance to explore the area.
This grant money will not only benifit all Alaskan's but all American's.
Well, I am going to have to agree with the dissenters on this one. I think it is great that our state government is thinking about the energy situation and accountability, but they really ought to be working toward long term solutions rather than short-term hand outs. Sure, the amount of this proposal is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount we need to invest in those solutions, but it takes each drop to fill it. That does not mean I *want* to be paying out the ear for energy in the meantime, but so life goes.
People have a hard time focusing on the big picture. They do not mind looking at it now and again, but, at the end of the day when they are hungry, they would rather be given dinner than make it.
I still have a sour taste in my mouth about the recent federal income redistribution program.
1)Hardly any of this money is going to "Big Oil." The State gets over $3 back for every gallon that we buy. Big Oil does not sell their crude to the refinery, the state does. They are just letting the people in on their multi-billion dollar windfall due to high oil prices.
2)This is a short-term fix to bridge the gap until the long-term solutions can be implemented. Fairbanks should have coal to liquids by next fall. The Healy Clean Coal plant should be online within a year. We could have a gas line within 10-15 years. Susitna dam will be powering the railbelt in 10-15 years. We just need a little help to get where we are going.
3)Alternative energy is not going to fix the problem. The total power from all green energy SNAP producers over the last year would power the GVEA grid for a grand total of 8/10ths of 1 second. Wind farms will take years to being online and Susitna dam is at least 10 years out.
4)What good would a Prius do? Seriously get real this is Alaska. In five years we would all be paying to replace the batteries and the energy used in shipping the used batteries out and the new ones in would consume more fuel than was saved. I only drive my truck when I need to and a $100 fuel card will not even fill the tank up anymore.
WOW. There's a lot of comments out there. Mostly in support, but I saw a few things that just made me add my 20 cents (inflation).
I saw a comment about welfare and handouts. I would keep in mind that the money they are handing back to us, is money they took from our pockets to begin with. Remember that Alaska is paid by the oil companies in royalty oil.. that is by barrels of oil, that it in turn, sells to the refinery at "typically" above market rates. Those rates of course, are passed on to you and I.
The state COULD have said "no, we're never going to charge more than $50 a barrel to the refinery, and the refinery will be forbidden to raise the price for oil products within the state, above a certain margin. This way, the whole inflation within the state is controlled. The state makes less money BUT the state also pays out much less in pay raises and various petroleum consumptions."
It's my hopes, that they will still look into something like this very soon.
But be clear, any money the state gives back to us, is not a hand out. Consider it as a tax rebate.
I, as well, applaud the efforts of Governor Palin. It is so easy for people to state, "if only we had NG, it would make it all better." or "If only we lived in Anchorage." Anchorage is going to be no better off than we are in a couple of years, when their NG contract runs out and they are now forced to pay to Real-time NG prices. They are going to be begging for other options, just as we are today.
I, for one, am a person who is open to ANY other options than the gas/diesel/oil we are limited to. Unforuntately, I have grown up in a generation that has grown up dependent on a limited resource. However, there are other options out there. A proposal for Nuclear Power has not been passed in over 30 years, because the environmentalists disagree with it. But they also disagree with oil drilling (for places we know hold oil), NG discovery and advancement, and the buring of wood/coal because it pollutes. We are limited to the resources afford to us.... and without approval, gas/oil/diesel is our only option.
What a sorry group of ill informed, disfunctional, people writting on this subject.
"The Big Picture", "The Future", etc. You folks are like a bunch of engineers standing at the scene of a terrible traffic accident with bleeding and near death victims still in the vehicles. Rather than calling 911, stop the bleeding, tend to the hurt - you want to stand around and discuss how a traffic light would have solved this issue. Sure - the light is a great idea..... but let's perform first aid and get the ambulance here now - and approve the traffic light at the next assembly meeting.
Right now, we are watching our oil flow past our houses to Valdez where people on the other side of the world are willing to shell out $130 a barrel today - who knows how much tomorrow. Why should we be paying retail for our own oil? Fishermen get their fish off the boat, farmers get their eggs from the hen house, cattle men get their steaks from the back yard, and mechanics, carpenters and plumbers get the supplies to repair their cars and houses at wholesale. Gas in all the other producing countries is $.12 to $.45 per gallon.
The Governor's plan is a great start. We've all seen plenty of 'do nothing' politicians - here we have someone willing to step forward with a totally new idea that can help many families out........ and all you people want to do is belly ache about the taxes come April 15th? If this was a creditable concern - people would never be interested in receiving a raise or promotion at work for fear it would put them into a different tax bracket. Yeah, it really makes sense for a family of 4 to turn down $400 a month - $4800 a year, because they might have to pay $38 in taxes on it.
If you can't find a way to use the card - then you obviously don't neet it - and really don't have a say in the energy issue, do you?
Finally - someone, our Governor, wants to do something. And, the card assures the benefit will go to energy - not booze - or other mischief. And this card......like food stamps - I am sure there are people who are well off and would not stoop to using it. But food stamps were never meant for the wealthy. And there are families in this state that really, really need this card. Families had hard times last year paying $1200 to fill a 500 gallon tank of heating fuel...... no way they can handle $4,000 to fill a tank this comming winter.
If you don't like the card idea - nobody is going to force you to use it....... so why try to make it difficult for others who need it? Things are already difficult enough - if you haven't noticed. Help has to start somewhere.
I don't get it..fuel is still SOOOO CHEAP here in Alaska and the good
ole USA..why are so many complaining about what it cost to fuel thier oversize cars, trucks, and houses?
Amen Glacierwolf!
Imusuallyright--what makes you think that just because their 'handing out debit cards' that no one is looking at the real problem or solution?
i hope you all remember to take very good care of who you cast your votes for. murky is to blame for the shortsightedness....he couldn't see, with hisjet flying so fast and all.
"I think that some people are and most people aren't."
Indeed. Sadly, crisis is the typical predecessor to change.
My concerns are mirrored fully by the comment written by "Dirk" on 5/16 @ 1:44am. Notably, he ends with:
"I fear that this is a very temporary fix that could cause some damage over time, especially if it adds any sort of delay or lessening of the sense of urgency in re. to addressing long-term needs.."
Sure, we all want that cough syrup to address the symptoms, but we still have the cold.
a monorail is more of a Shelbyville Idea.
But seriously I think it is a god start. I'd rather see the money differently. The problem we have in interior is based on the price of oil. Anchorage only has a gasoline price problem. The interior and the bush have a fuel oil problem also. If the state used this money to supsidise(sp?) the royality oil it sells to Flint hills then everybody would be better off. Anchorage would have lower gas prices. And we'd have lower total energy. The state could literally give the oil to the refineries. Provided the make the refineries pass the savings on. Thimk of how low your GVEA bill would be if the price of oil was $1.oo a gallon
To the point of who gets the subsidy - it's yet to be decided, the legislature now gets to weigh in - but the devil is in the details. I understand it is going to be for retail companies at least, which is good - because without it, our groceries and food costs are going to rise even more.
The dilemma is we really need to have pressure on us to make systemic changes. I'm certain even with subsidies we'll still have big cost increases, which will keep us moving in the right direction.
We need to get off our petroleum habit as much as possible. Synfuels, H(ydrogen)-O(xygen)-H(ydrogen) generators for our car, tractor and oil based heating systems - they add extra kick (up to 60 percent) which ensures cleaner burning translating to more BTU's for heat and power.
I'd prefer to get a Hydrogen 4000 type gasoline system for my car with $1200 dollars or less, by just purchasing the plans by using with this supposed free money. Instead of paying for non-renewable energy at high costs I achieve more efficiency which is what we all need to do.
Speaking of paying a subsidy for utilities, I think that rural communities ought to have PCE for their retail businesses as the governor has proposed with this interim measure. That would go a long way to holding the line on cost increases. If it's good enough for the entire state it ought to be the same for the bush.
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