This year could be a breakthrough year to truly change the nature of dialogue and action in Washington, DC, and nationwide. On the tip of the tongue: will there be a super majority in the Senate (59 Democratic Party, One Socialist (Sanders), and the only Connecticut for Lieberman Senator)? Once a seemingly near-impossible, very long-shot, now truly competitive race that could help achieve this change: the race for Alaska’s next Senator.
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) is embroiled in controversy, having just added a conviction to add to his resume. That is not the subject of this post. This is not a discussion of why NOT to vote for someone (and, with Ted, as with so many of the Republican incumbents, we can write volumes on the subject), but a moment to focus on some of the reasons to vote for someone.
Thus, this is a moment to focus on soon-to-be-convict Ted’s opponent, the next Senator from Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich with whom I participated in a short bloggers’ call earlier this year.
This call occurred just amid a controversy over Senator Inouye’s fundraising for Ted Stevens. Thus, a question: What have you heard from the national party, from the DSCC, and what do you expect? Begich certainly was on top of this. From that response (somewhat paraphrased):
Inouye (D) and Ted Stevens (R) are close friends. They are part of the 85-plus club, they’re part of a bunch of guys who’ve been around a hundred years.
When I heard about this, I waited 24 hours to calm down and then I called and left a message for Senator Schumer. … After all, do they want a 60 Senator majority or not? … When I do talk to Senator Schumer, I’ll let him know that whatever Inouye raises for Stevens, I’ll expect them to double it.
A straightforward, powerful response that recognized the long-term Inouye/Stevens relationship but also clearly showed backbone in desiring sensible national Democratic Party responses to the implications of that relationship.
The second question went more to my domains of greatest concern: “Where do you see Energy in the campaign? Where do you see Global Warming in the list of Alaskans’ concerns?”
Energy issues are the #1 issue in Alaska … Costs that consumers there are facing … Realization that we can’t continue the same way we’ve been going.
Energy top of the agenda, current processes can’t solve things …
[Global Warming] If you’d asked me four years ago, I would have said it wasn’t a big issue. … that the evidence isn’t conclusive …
Sounds like a potential skeptic or someone not really interested just a few years ago.
What happened? I went to Sundance with 40 Mayors with Al Gore and Robert Redford. This was before the film. Actually, it was sort of like the film live.
How many presentations has Gore said he’s given? Something like 3000.
I returned to Alaska after that one and one-half day trip.
I pulled out a photo of me as a kid by the Portage Glacier, with the ice no further than ten feet from me.
I went out to the same location with my then three-year old son and took a photo.
I literally couldn’t see the ice.
What happened to me in that moment, that was truly a life-changing moment for me.
(Soon after the interview, Mark penned Changing Views at Ground Zero for Global Warming bringing more detail to this story.)
Evidence, stark evidence, literally staring him (staring us) in the face. And, it led him to sign up for Cool Mayors and to take action, including energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
Within the next year, we got aggressive. And, I went back the next year to Sundance and presented what a city can do in just one year.
As to his electorate:
Alaskans are well aware of Global Warming, in rural Alaska, in the villages, it is really making them really nervous.
The “issues” page isn’t all there is Mark Begich. From it, I wouldn’t have picked up that he’s worked a target for 30 percent renewables within a decade with significant energy conservation also in the works to massively reduced southcentral Alaska’s reliance on fossil fuels. From his why I am running statement:
Alaska is ground zero for global warming. All you have to do is look at the shrinking polar ice cap and the devastating effects it’s having on our rural communities to know we have to do something.
According to Begich
Alaska is feeling the impacts of climate change more than any place else in the world. At ground zero, Alaskans have a responsibility to lead the way in developing solutions to global warming to protect the magnificent natural resources around us and to ensure that future generations do not inherit a drastically altered Alaska. The solutions will not only help protect our environment, but will save money and bolster our economy.
In July, Mark joined three members of Energize America (A Siegel, Jerome a Paris, Devilstower) and two other Energy Smart candidates (Debbie Cook, CA-46 and Jeff Merkeley, OR-SEN) for a panel to discuss Energizing America. With all due humility, this was truly an excellent panel discussion, with all six people bringing a unique perspective to the table — with strong reinforcement from each perspective.
Mark spoke from his quite practical experience as Mayor of Anchorage, speaking to the need and real potential for making cost-effective changes for greater energy efficiency. He highlighted how government action can provide quite tangible examples that can enable others to follow with greater confidence. He highlighted how government can serve as catalyst, helping to create capacity that then can work in the private sector. All very practical steps for a smarter energy future.
When it comes to energy, sensibly practical might be an appropriate description for much of Mark’s concepts. Remembering that he is seeking to be a Senator from ALASKA, here are his core points:
- Secure Alaska’s fair share of revenues from offshore OCS oil and gas leases to fund a new community-based renewable energy program and deployment of energy efficiency technology;
- Establish national and state targets of generating at least 25% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025;
- Set a national and state target to reduce energy consumption 25% by 2018 through energy efficiency;
- Insist the oil and gas industry employ the most current technology to reduce the “footprint” of development;
- Work across party lines to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible oil and gas development including the pursuit of directional drilling through the adjacent Sourdough discovery well;
- Work with gasline developers and the state administration to guarantee the project puts Alaskans to work, funds workforce training and education, brings Alaska gas to Alaskans first, and shares gasline revenues with Alaska communities; and
- Protect the Alaska gasline project against any congressional attempts to levy new taxes on the profits, which could cut into state revenues from the gas.
While not enthusiastic for his support for ANWR drilling nor the bluntness to protect fossil fuel profits — so that Alaskans can keep the funds — much of what Mark is calling for are items that should be on the agenda. 25% renewable by 2025 should be a minimum target. 25% reduction in energy consumption by 2018 is a quite achievable, but very serious target that should not be ‘on the agenda’, but on top of the agenda.
Hmmm … Now that seems like an Energy Smart voice speaking for Alaska.
And, Washington, DC, certainly could use some more Energy Smarts.
So … Help send Mark to the Senate and send Ted Stevens into retirement to enjoy his renovated Alaskan home by sending some $XX.01s to [http://www.actblue.com/page/energysmart Energy Smart Mark] or the [http://www.actblue.com/page/eenr Progressive Blue Act Blue page].