AKPIRG Updates September 2023
ACTION ALERT: Ethics Rules Under Threat
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Attorney General Treg Taylor are again attempting to change regulations so that the State of Alaska has to cover legal costs for the governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor if they are under investigation for dishonest and unethical misconduct.
The public has until September 11 to tell them that, just like in 2019, we’re still not interested in footing the bill.
Comments can be submitted via email to:
ethics.regulation.public.comments@alaska.gov
or mailed to:
PO Box 110300, Juneau, AK 99811-0300.
Learn more:
Apply by September 25: Energy Lead
AKPIRG is hiring! 🥳
The Energy Lead is a full-time position focused on helping ensure Alaska’s frontline communities and organizations get the most out of the myriad of federal funding opportunities available. The Energy Lead will manage AKPIRG’s Energy Team and work closely with in-state partners to support their federal funding work. The role will involve research, community outreach, coalition management, and organizational management.
For more information, visit akpirg.org/get-involved, or contact Camilla Hussein-Scott at camilla@akpirg.org.
Welcome to Team AKPIRG, Austin!
We have a new addition to our broadband team! Welcome Austin! 🎉
Austin grew up in Northwest Arkansas (Quapaw, Caddo, and Osage lands), a place that is also home to multiple large corporations such as Tyson Foods and Walmart. After high school, they moved to New Haven to study at Yale, graduating with a B.A. in Comparative Literature and a certificate in Translation Studies. He is thrilled to be working, as Broadband Fellow, toward a future where all Alaskans have access to reliable and affordable broadband internet. In their free time, Austin loves working in ceramics, going on long runs, or just making a warm drink to share with friends.
AKPIRG is so excited to have Austin on our team!
Seward Electric Sale Back on Ballot
Seward is once again asking voters to approve the sale of its electric utility (SES) to Homer Electric (HEA) during the Oct. 3 municipal election. The City Council put a second proposition on the ballot that would lower the threshold for voter approval of the sale from 60 percent to a simple majority. A vote on selling SES to HEA in May failed to reach the 60 percent mark by just seven votes.
There has been considerable controversy around the attempted sale--members of the community have questioned the need to sell SES and the City Council's decision to select HEA's bid over one from Chugach Electric. While pursuing the new sale, the City Council has also created a citizen's Ad Hoc Committee to examine how much it would cost the city to continue operating SES itself.
Full details of the history of the sale and what to expect are available at the Alaska Energy Transparency Project (AETP) website:
SOLD OUT!
Drag for a Cause, Cohosted by Pattie Gonia and Golden Delicious
Last weekend, we were so delighted to welcome Pattie Gonia to Alaska along with Native Movement and Alaska Community Action on Toxics. Pattie performed to a sold out crowd, and was accompanied by Alaskan drag artists Golden Delicious, Lamia Monroe, Athena Nuff, and Ice Watah.
Thank you to Pattie Gonia for coming, to Golden Delicious for cohosting, to our sensational local drag artists, and to all who came out to support these amazing performers and our organizations! We are so grateful for our community.
If you weren't able to join us, you can still support AKPIRG by making a contribution today:
