Climate Connection: Building Back Climate Friendly!
You may have heard that our senators have supported the federal infrastructure bill put forward by the President. My last column thanked them for their bravery in putting aside partisan differences. This week, I want to share some of the reasons why it makes sense to get behind this once-in-a-generation investment.
New infrastructure will mean more Alaskans will have access to the benefits of new knowledge. Many of Sitka’s ‘utilities’ are the legacy of decisions to give a lot more people the benefits of new technology. As Senator Sullivan notes in his statement, Alaska didn’t get much of this compared to the lower 48, so we have some catching up to do. This is particularly true in a world that is now on a mission to reduce greenhouse gases to safe levels.
The first thing I want to put in the spotlight for you is a pilot program for testing an electric ferry! A year or two ago we were talking about Norway’s electric ferry service, as we struggled with the costs of maintaining and fueling diesel engines. If this bill goes through, we have the chance to make our part of the Alaska Marine Highway a lot more reliable and less costly. I am so excited about Lisa Murkowski’s support for this upgrade to a very important aspect of life in Southeast Alaska. I hope you are too!
Dan Sullivan wants a big investment in Alaska’s roads, water systems, ports, airports, ferry system, bridges, and broadband. As we’ve all seen during peak tourist season every year, our internet doesn’t meet our needs when circumstances change. We saw this again with the pandemic, and the move to working from home AND virtual classes for students of all ages. No influx of tourists last year, but more of our own community using the system at the same time. It’s great to see this support for our existing and future technology needs. One of Alaska’s great challenges – so much distance between our communities and the rest of the world – can be overcome with better connectivity.
By working across the aisle to support the bill they are boosting Alaskans’ opportunities to survive AND thrive. Not just in our present challenges but in a future, carbon neutral, world. Climate friendly infrastructure will help us to use less energy to get things done. Even though they might not think of it this way, it gives us the option to really build back better!
So, now our job is to push for these investments to be delivered soon. Call Congressman Don Young and ask for his support. Talk to your senators too – thank them for their foresight. Feeling bold? Call them all and ask them to go one better – by putting a price on carbon in the reconciliation bill coming up next.
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Leah Mason is a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby
