OPINION: Strengthening Alaska’s economy through bipartisan policy solutions

As the founder of Arctic Solar Ventures, I have seen firsthand how innovation can transform a community. It is a catalyst for job creation, opportunity and growth. But to truly tap into our potential, we must shape climate, energy and trade policies that fuel innovation and secure our future.

Climate change is a pressing issue, especially here in Alaska. Our state is warming at double the national rate, with northern Alaska and the Arctic warming up to six times the global average. This rapid change is disrupting our ecosystems and way of life. No sector is untouched by wildfires, droughts and floods, affecting everything from fisheries to tourism.

But here is the thing: Alaska is not just on the frontlines of climate change; we are also leading the charge in finding solutions. Contrary to viewing clean energy as a nascent industry, our state is a clean energy powerhouse thanks to our innovative spirit. And we are not alone. Our elected leaders are making strides in Washington, D.C.

Our congressional delegation has scored big wins recently. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was key in passing the Great American Outdoors Act, the Energy Act of 2020 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Sen. Dan Sullivan championed the bipartisan Save Our Seas legislation, and Rep. Mary Peltola has shown her commitment to bipartisan action. These achievements, made under Republican and Democratic administrations, show that environmental legislation can find common ground in Congress.

But we cannot stop there. We need to keep the momentum going, and that means having the right people in the Senate who can drive the conversation and appeal to both sides of the aisle. In fact, I believe our congressional delegation can lead the way in enacting bipartisan climate policy, including holding foreign countries accountable for their high emissions.

We should level the playing field for American manufacturers and hold foreign competitors to the same lofty domestic environmental standards we currently have. Economic certainty is the driver for more investment and jobs in our economy. Foreign polluters should not get free passes.

Notably, Sen. Murkowski joined a group of bipartisan senators to co-sponsor the PROVE It Act. This act would direct the Department of Energy to study the emissions of several domestic and international industries and ultimately prove what we already know: Americans produce and develop in a more efficient manner than our trading partners. Such a study would be an important indicator that we are serious about ensuring other countries adhere to our strict environmental standards.

As Congress returns to Washington, D.C., for a busy fall session, I join other business leaders from across the state in supporting our congressional delegation as they work to support entrepreneurs across the state and level the playing field for innovative American businesses and workers.

Stephen Trimble is the founder and CEO of Arctic Solar Ventures. He is a resident of Anchorage.

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