Senators plan energy hearings

Anchorage Democrat Bill Wiele-chowski said senators want a plan that would direct spending and projects well into the future.

"Ultimately, what we want is a plan that will provide affordable energy for all Alaskans, with an emphasis on renewables and conservation," said Wielechowski, co-chairman of the Senate Resources Committee and a member of the Special Committee on Energy.

Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, chairwoman of the energy committee, said the urgent need for long-term solutions in many communities is directing a focus on an energy plan. "Frankly, energy policy in the past 50 years has been a patchwork," McGuire said.

Policy has been driven by immediate, changing crises, she said.

"It's got all different shapes, sizes, fabric swatches, that have been sewn in at different times, and often haphazardly," she said. "The idea is to really think about (a policy) in an overarching light, from 35,000 feet, so the Legislature has a path by which it makes appropriations."

Joe Balash, intergovernmental coordinator for Gov. Sarah Palin, said Alaska has an energy policy and is helping communities craft plans to meet that broader goal.

"We want to rely on local resources wherever and whenever possible," Balash said. "At the same time, we want to turn to renewable resources."

Local supplies are "pretty damn important when it's 40 below out," he said.

"It's not for Juneau to decide each and every community's energy future," Balash said.

The state might not be moving fast enough for some but is working deliberately to present options, Balash said.

At the field hearings next week, senators want to hear how people are heating their homes and what communities need from the state to develop stronger energy sources, they said.

Senators plan hearings Tuesday in Fairbanks and Wednesday in Ruby and Tanana. Hearings in other parts of the state are planned, McGuire said.

House committees also will travel to talk to Alaskans about energy needs.