As Alaska continues to bear the brunt of DC-driven energy price hikes, today lifelong Alaskan Mary Peltola announced her plan to bring down energy costs, unleash Alaska oil and gas development, and invest in the future of Alaska energy.
“Alaska has always been a leader in energy production, and as an independent voice for Alaskans, I will always stand up to anyone to invest in Alaska energy production so that we can create good-paying jobs and lower energy costs,” said Mary Peltola. “As DC price hikes create an energy catastrophe for Alaskans, we can’t afford more delays, political gridlock, or one-size-fits-all rules from the Lower 48 that leave Alaskans without solutions. With buy-in from communities on the ground, I will fight to invest in Alaska energy so we can bring down energy costs, grow our economy, and build real opportunities for the next generation of Alaskans.”
Mary’s plan, “Making Energy Affordable for Alaskans” builds on her long record of championing Alaska oil and gas development while charting a bold roadmap for unleashing Alaska’s energy potential and investing in the future of Alaska energy to bring down costs and create good paying jobs. The plan includes specific policy planks like:
- Cutting Red Tape: Pass meaningful permitting reform to streamline pathways for Alaska energy projects so development moves at Alaska’s pace, not DC’s.
- Developing Alaska Resources for Alaskans: Refine more Alaska oil in Alaska by creating targeted tax incentives, streamlining permitting, securing federal financing and loan guarantees; fight tooth and nail for projects like the Alaska LNG Pipeline to ensure that Alaska energy resources are used to lower costs for Alaskans.
- Delivering for Rural Alaska: Secure federal funding to modernize Alaska’s aging energy grids, including the Railbelt; fight for programs like the Denali Commission’s High Energy Cost and Bulk Fuel Loan programs, and USDA Rural Utilities Service energy programs to lower costs and increase reliability; restore federal tax credits for solar, wind, and hydropower, and fight for federal funding to diversify energy inputs for the Railbelt.
- Putting Money in Alaskans’ Pockets: Enhance the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help Alaskans afford heat; extend tax credit programs to incentivize energy efficiency; strengthen Alaska’s existing Power Cost Equalization Program with federal support to help stabilize energy prices; push for funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program and HOMES Rebate to make it cheaper for Alaskans to weatherize and update their homes, increasing efficiency and lowering energy bills.
- Powering Alaska’s Future: Invest in research, development, and commercialization of cold-weather energy technologies to make Alaska the leader in Arctic energy technology; expand Alaska geothermal and biomass energy projects so Alaskans can benefit from our natural resources while driving down energy costs; secure tax credits that allow rural communities to invest in small modular reactors, increasing reliability and keeping Alaska at the forefront of energy production.
As energy prices continue to skyrocket for Alaskans as a result of the war in Iran, Mary is putting forward an actionable plan to bring costs down, create good-paying jobs, and deliver relief for Alaska families stretched thin by exorbitant energy bills.
Mary has always been a champion for Alaska energy, being termed “one of the few pro-oil Democrats” in Congress, consistently standing up to anyone – including Joe Biden – to promote oil and gas development, secure approval of the Willow Oil Project, bring down costs, and create good-paying Alaska energy jobs. In the U.S. Senate, she will fight to lower Alaskans’ energy costs by modernizing energy infrastructure, pushing through meaningful permitting reform, and working alongside local communities to ensure the benefits of Alaska resources stay in Alaska.
Read Mary’s full plan to make energy affordable for Alaskans here.
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