The Dutch Harbor Fisherman - Energy authority to host local town hall meetings

Last Update: July 24, 2008 at 4:27PM

Energy authority to host local town hall meetings

ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF

May 02, 2008 at 10:12AM AKST

The Alaska Energy Authority has begun a sequence of meetings it will present in 25 communities around the state with the goals of hearing what Alaskans know about local energy resources and asking how they think those resources can be developed to lower energy costs.

AEA’s Energy Plan Town Hall meetings, to be held throughout Alaska, started April 28 in Palmer and will conclude June 4 in Anchorage.

"Our goal is simple: We must reduce the cost of energy in Alaska by using locally available energy resources," said AEA executive director and energy coordinator Steve Haagenson.

"To reach that goal we are engaging Alaskans in the process of creating and deploying solutions that will not only provide stable-cost energy now but will help ensure affordable, reliable energy for our children and grandchildren as well."

Teams comprised of representatives from AEA, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development and the Denali Commission will be traveling throughout Alaska to meet with the public, business, community and regional leaders and utility managers.

"We are holding these Town Hall meetings to gain answers for two fundamental questions," Haagenson said. "First, we want to ask Alaskans what they know about local energy resources and which resources they think could possibly be developed to help lower costs. Second, we want to ask residents which resources they prefer not to develop, and why."

Alaskans are invited and encouraged to participate in this process by attending a Town Hall meeting or by e-mailing comments to energycoordinator@aidea.org . Comments may also be sent to Alaska Energy Authority, Attn: Steven Haagenson, 813 West Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99503.

Energy Plan Town Hall meeting schedule:

Meetings were held last week in Palmer, Soldotna and Fairbanks.

Upcoming meetings are as follows:

Galena May 1, 5-9 p.m., High School

Fort Yukon May 1, 4-8 p.m., Council Elders Hall

Tok May 1, 4-8 p.m., Tok Visitors Center

Bethel May 6, 4-8 p.m., Cultural Center

Aniak May 7, 4-8 p.m., Community Hall

Nome May 8, 4-8 p.m., Mini-Convention Center

Kotzebue May 8, 4-8 p.m., Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers

Valdez May 12, 4-8 p.m., Valdez Convention and Civic Center

Naknek May 14 *