My Turn: Alaskans Stand to Benefit from Stimulus Funds
Kate Troll's My Turn in the Juneau Empire drives home the point that there are no burdensome requirements in the Federal Stimulus Bill that would preclude acceptance of these much needed energy funds.
Last September, Gov. Sarah Palin declared September "Energy Efficiency Month", explaining that "One of the best things we can do as Alaskans to stretch our family dollars further is to save energy - at home and on the road." Yet, when given the opportunity to augment our energy efficiency, weatherization and energy development programs in Alaska she is threatening to turn away as much as $55.5 million for energy relief from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Not only would these funds help Alaskans improve efficiency and reduce costs, but they could fund some of the 28 renewable energy projects currently being passed over due to inadequate state funds.
According to a recent press release, Palin is concerned that the funds in question could "subject Alaska to more federal control and ever-increasing federal mandates." However, research indicates that the only substantive 'mandate' attached to the State Energy Program funds are that the governor must certify that at least 90 percent of new and renovated residential and commercial building spaces will meet or exceed the most recently published International Energy Conservation Code (for residential) or the ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA standard 90.1-2007 (for commercial) within eight years.
