The ADN asked Alaska candidates for Congress their views on a variety of issues. We're printing their responses between now and Election Day.

Q: Rural Alaska has been hit particularly hard by high fuel prices. Are there specific steps Congress or a member of Congress should take to address this?

U.S. SENATE

MARK BEGICH

DEMOCRAT

WWW.BEGICH.COM

I would push the State to fully fund Power Cost Equalization; commit federal funds to develop local, renewable energy sources; and help buy down the debt from utilities that make a commitment to more efficient generation. I support significantly increased funding for energy assistance programs to help families fill their fuel tanks and pay their bills this winter. I was disappointed Senator Stevens voted against both energy assistance and renewable energy tax credits this summer.

BOB BIRD

ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY

WWW.BIRDFORSENATE.COM

Absolutely not. Again, it is unconstitutional. This candidate wants to actually abide by "the Constitution and nothing BUT the Constitution," with an oath to keep. There is an endless parade of charity for which the government can confiscate people's property. When taxes are not raised, we get the "hidden tax" of inflation, which makes our currency worthless. We need to break this cycle. Rural aid should be a priority for the state legislature, which it is considering.

FREDERICK "DAVID" HAASE

LIBERTARIAN

WWW.DAVIDFORALASKA.COM

Yes.

TED STEVENS

REPUBLICAN

TEDSTEVENS2008.COM

Congress provided assistance for fuel costs to the Denali Commission and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance programs. Energy produced locally, such as oil, gas, coal liquefaction, coal gasification, tidal or ocean current power, geothermal energy, methane from coal bed or seeps from lakes and permafrost all could be explored in rural Alaska. Our state has ample income now to help.

NOTE: Senate candidate Ted Gianoutsos (no party, www.tedandfred.com) says he is running on one issue: opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development. He chose not to answer individual issue questions.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DON YOUNG

REPUBLICAN

DONYOUNG08.COM

Yes. When the people closest to the proposed Bristol Bay exploration area asked for my support for affordable energy, they got it. We have tremendous energy resources of all kinds. We have huge oil, gas, hydro, wind, geothermal, and clean coal energy potential. We need it all. We must pursue all options at both the federal and state level to ensure communities in Alaska have access to the most affordable, practical energy source available.

ETHAN BERKOWITZ

DEMOCRAT

WWW.ETHANBERKOWITZ.COM

Yes, remembering that it's important to coordinate federal, state and local efforts. That's why the Denali Commission has such a critical role. Congress can address rural energy costs in other ways. For example, it can continue funding programs like LIHEAP, and expand support for state programs like PCE. Additionally, expanding federal production tax credits for non-hydrocarbon energy will improve the investment climate for renewable projects, and that can help make rural Alaska energy self-sufficient.