Anchorage Daily News

We've got wind power in Alaska -- think Kotzebue now and Fire Island soon. We've got hydro -- think the Four-Dam Pool now and Chakachamna soon, maybe. We've got people in Alaska working with solar panels and good old-fashioned firewood. There are ways to make power out of sawdust and ways to harness the tides.

But to many of us these still seem like pipe dreams or individual efforts or local, limited projects. Cottage industries at best.

That's what the Legislature voted to try to change with the Renewable Energy Fund.

Right now the Alaska Energy Authority is going through 112 applications requesting more than $450 million in grants for projects that run the gamut of alternative energies -- wind, geothermal, hydro, tidal, biomass. According to Alaska Energy Authority spokesman Karsten Rodvik, there's a wide geographic spread as well.

They won't all make the cut. Lawmakers provided $100 million for the fund in the 2009 fiscal year for Round One projects. The first round comprises the 112 in the hunt now; the fund will make its recommendations to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee later this month with final approvals no later than the first quarter of 2009. One of the criteria for Round One projects is that they can be swiftly done.

Round Two projects, those that might take longer to get off the ground, are due to the energy authority today.

"This is more than pie-in-the-sky stuff," Rodvik said. The goal for the fund is to allocate 80 percent of its grants for final design, permitting and construction of projects. In other words, more for building and the production of alternative, sustainable energy sources and less on studies that might languish on shelves.

Rodvik said "Alaska is either at or near the forefront of the 50 states" in bankrolling alternative energies.

Judging by its criteria, the authority is taking a clear-eyed, no-nonsense view of the energy frontiers. Fly-by-nighters need not apply. Criteria require that applicants be utilities, independent energy producers, local governments or government entities that can prove they have the chops to build the projects they describe.

Applicants who offer matching funds of their own or from other sources also will have an edge, the idea being that the state isn't taking all the risk.

Projects also must pass muster in terms of public benefit in providing more affordable energy, sustainability and local support.

And they'll have to mesh with the Alaska Energy Authority's other ambitious work in progress, a statewide long-range energy plan due in December.

This summer, the energy authority and the federal Denali Commission announced $5 million in grants to alternative energy projects throughout Alaska, many aimed at cutting costs in rural Alaska and building alternatives to diesel. Wind was high on those lists.

None of this work puts Alaska's still vast resources of fossil fuels in the shade. The gas line project remains a top priority, with in-state access part of the deal. And the state continues to offer incentives for increased oil exploration and production.

But the future -- and it's not the distant future -- is in greener, cheaper, renewable energy production. It makes good sense for Alaska to invest surplus money gained by high oil prices to keep our lights on longer and for less.

BOTTOMLINE: Renewable Energy Fund offers the promise of a jump-start for cleaner, cheaper, sustainable power throughout Alaska.

Lovefest

Some have said Gov. Sarah Palin will have her work cut out for her back home after the fiery partisanship of the presidential campaign.

Forget it, if a radio gig Thursday morning is any indication.

Bob of the Bob and Mark team on KWHL in Anchorage had the governor on, and then said he'd make peace with a phone call -- to Sen. Hollis French, the lawmaker responsible for overseeing the first Troopergate investigation. That's the one that did not exonerate the governor.

Gov. Palin greeted Sen. French and said she was looking forward to working with him again.

"Governor, that's very kind and gracious of you to call ... That's very big-hearted of you and it's typical of you," French said.

Gov. Palin said we were all Alaskans here under the North Star and need to work together for Alaska and America.

Bob said that's the way it should be.

"This is the way it's gonna be," the governor said.

"I'm gonna cry," Bob said.

Before anyone reached for Kleenex at the Loussac Library coffee shop where I was listening, one patron sitting near me couldn't take anymore.

"Sheesh, it's stupid," he muttered, and got up to leave.

French did temper the joy of homecoming with a campaign trail echo.

"We've still got to actually build the gas pipeline," he pointed out, perhaps taking modest issue with the governor's suggestion during the race that the line was actually under way. But there was no bad blood on the air.

Bob and the gov wrapped it up with an effusive goodbye, Bob sounding as if he'd propose were it not for Todd.

Welcome home, governor.

-- Frank Gerjevic

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