June 15, 2009
The Alaska House Energy Committee visited Bethel May 29. From left: Bill Stoltze, Mike Chenault, Chris Tuck, Bryce Edgmon, Nancy Dahlstrom, Kyle Johansen, Bob Herron, Charisse Millett, Pete Peterson, and Jay Ramras. Blackhawk pilots in back: Chief Warrant Officer II Kris Nicholson, Lt. Pete Pagni.
Legislators get an earful of testimony on energy prices, alternatives
by Theresa Bean, YKHC Public Relations
On Friday, May 29, Nine Alaska state legislators, three staff, and two assistants took the one-hour flight to Bethel for an Energy Hearing held at the City Office.
Before the hearings started they toured the city power plant and took a ride on a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to Kasigluk to see the wind turbines out on the tundra.
Once back in Bethel they were greeted by community leaders at a luncheon held in the Paul John Board room.
From there they headed to the City Office where they listened to four and a half hours of testimony from different local businesses and community members who spoke about the high price of fuel, and the ways it is affecting their lives.
They had to wrap up the hearing due to time limits, but could have easily listened to another hour and a half of testimony.
Representative Bryce Edgmon from Dillingham, committee co-chair, said of the day, "This has been the most testimony we have listened to at all of our hearings, and we could have gone on for a few more hours. I am grateful that we got to listen to everyone [who did testify], but I am sorry to those of you who did not get to testify today."
Tim Meyers, Bethel farmer and entrepreneur, spoke for 30 minutes about his farming and energy projects. Informing the legislators about his new discoveries using the ground as a heat source in the winters and cool storage in the summers, he said, "There is an almost 70 degree difference between the temperature outside in the winter as there is under the ground. Once you are a few feet down the ground stays at around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. So what are we doing living above ground trying to keep our homes warm at the price of fuel today?!"
Before getting back on the jet the same evening, all of the visitors were treated to a prime rib dinner hosted by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and thanked everyone for their hospitality.
Distinguished Visitors
Alaska House of Representatives House Special Committee on Energy
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Co-Chair—Dillingham
Representative Charisse Millett, Co-Chair—Anchorage
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, Eagle River
Representative Kyle Johansen, Ketchikan
Representative Jay Ramras, Fairbanks
Representative Pete Petersen, Anchorage
Representative Chris Tuck, Anchorage
Representative Mike Chenault, Speaker of the House—Kenai
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair Finance Committee—Chugiak
Staff—Adam Berg, Jeff Turner, Sonia Christensen
LAA—Tim Powers, Ken Belanger
