Energy is a building block of Alaska’s future

Energy is non-negotiable in the modern world. Centuries of progress have made it an essential element to nearly all facets of everyday life, from home to business. This is especially true in Alaska’s extremes where reliable access to power and fuel can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Despite all the advances in technology, however, the U.S. energy infrastructure has failed to keep pace.

Unreachable by transmission lines, too many remote Alaska communities remain cut off from reliable, affordable power and rely on imported diesel. Those of us who are luckier must still contend with high costs.

These issues, though, aren’t confined to Alaska. In the past year, the contiguous United States has provided plenty of examples. When Texans were hit by a deep freeze and left without heat or power, millions of Americans experienced firsthand some of the very real vulnerabilities in our system. In late spring, we saw the East Coast upended by a breach that shuttered its primary pipeline. Now with summer in full swing, Western states’ access to electricity is on the brink of a meltdown.

There is a better way.

Through ongoing infrastructure negotiations, Congress can lay the groundwork needed to power life in the 21st century. By the American Society of Civil Engineers’ account, the United States’ and Alaska’s energy infrastructure earns a paltry C-minus. Unless action is taken to fortify the energy grid from generation to transmission, the country risks not just present-day quality of life and affordability, but also long-term economic advantages and the security energy independence provides.

As a lifelong Alaskan, I’ve seen firsthand before and after the first, major Arctic infrastructure investment — the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. The pipeline’s construction changed our way of life and provided countless opportunities for Alaska families and communities. The pipeline meant an opportunity to grow our economy, a relatively stable budget for the state and for many access to significant critical infrastructure for the first-time — new roads, expanded reach of electricity, better schools, increased access to medical care and jobs. In turn, these benefits led to self-determination, self-actualization and freedom that those in the Lower 48 had already begun to take for granted. With just one infrastructure project the Alaska’s future — and in fact that of the country’s — was forever changed.

With support from federal lawmakers, Alaska and the U.S. can once again tap into the transformative nature of energy infrastructure and innovation. Advances in science and engineering now allow us to harness our environment for power generation more effectively, affordably, and sustainably than ever before, unleashing a new frontier for energy development. There is perhaps no better place to expand our energy renaissance than applying clean, renewable technology in Alaska.

Alaska’s geographic diversity is among the most unique in the world. From geothermal energy to wind, wave, solar and hydropower, there is potential to develop energy assets and bring jobs to every corner of the state. By doing so, Alaska can not only continue its legacy of powering the U.S. and providing invaluable energy security, but provide tangible benefits to Alaskans and their communities just as I witnessed growing up.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young have always stood up for Alaska-made energy. Continuing this support by embracing next-era, clean energy technologies is important to ensuring the state continues on a positive trajectory. From support of the Energy Act of 2020 to a myriad of clean energy bill sponsorships, it’s clear our delegation agrees.

I am proud of the work Alaska’s leaders are making to fortify our nation’s energy infrastructure and value the invaluable role Sen. Murkowski has served in negotiating a project-oriented infrastructure package that invests in not only roads, bridges, ports and broadband, but also new renewable energy projects that power our communities and lower energy costs for so many of our residents. I commend our congressional delegation for staying the course and fighting for Alaska’s interests each and every day.

Lesil McGuire is a lifelong Alaskan, former state senator, women’s and rural rights advocate and mother. She lives in Anchorage and works as a consultant in the aerospace, technological innovation and Arctic policy sectors.

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