The AKPIRG Advocate, July 2024
We're hiring! 🎉
Apply to be our Deputy Director by August 1
AKPIRG is hiring a Deputy Director!
APPLY BY AUGUST 1!
The Deputy Director is a new position of leadership at AKPIRG whose focus is to support our staff as our organization grows and takes on big issues. They will guide team leads to develop structures that ensure effective workplans as well as accountability to those plans.
If you or someone you know has experience managing complex projects, demonstrated emotional intelligence, and a strong ability to build trust across diverse backgrounds, they should apply to join Team AKPIRG! Applications are open through August 1, 2024.
To see the full job description and to apply, visit: https://akpirg.bamboohr.com/careers/24
Join us for Clean Power Happy Hour!
July 17, 6:00-7:00PM // Writer's Block
Community Solar passed the Alaska state legislature this year, opening up access for renters and those of us who can't afford to pay upfront installation costs for solar panels. Celebrate this and other legislative wins with AKPIRG and The Alaska Center at our Clean Power Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 17 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Writer's Block!
We will be joined by Senator Wielechowski, the sponsor of the Community Solar bill, to talk about what went right in this legislative session, what we need to do next to secure clean energy for all Alaskans, and how you can help!
This event is open to all ages — bring the whole family!
AKPIRG's Broadband Team
is a MIT Solve 2024 Semifinalist!
📣 Exciting update! 🌎 MIT Solve has revealed the semifinalists for its 2024 Global Challenges! AKPIRG's solution, Alaska’s Digital Equity Ecosystem, has been selected, and if chosen, our team will move forward to the finalist round next month!
MIT Solve sought out solutions from Indigenous innovators in the US and Canada that build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of their communities. Our proposal, Alaska’s Digital Equity Ecosystem, has been selected as a semifinalist.
Learn more about Solve’s Global Challenges, Indigenous Communities Fellowship, and our solution:
A win for transparency: New regulations protect public participation at the Regulatory Commission of Alaska
In early 2023, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) proposed halving its public meeting frequency from twice to once a month, responding to concerns raised in a Legislative Audit about potential violations due to frequent meeting cancellations. From 2017 to 2021, the RCA canceled 28.4% of public meetings, canceling two meetings in a row on six occasions.
Public meetings are crucial as they offer the sole opportunity for direct public engagement with Commissioners. This significance was highlighted last summer when testimonies from Aniak community members played a pivotal role in partially reversing a 400% electric rate hike recently approved by the RCA.
AKPIRG strongly opposed the reduced meeting schedule and advocated for additional reforms recommended by the Legislative Audit. Our comment emphasized that fewer meetings would curtail public access to Commissioners and limit discussions on critical RCA decisions. AKPIRG was the sole commenter specifically addressing the meeting frequency issue.
Following this feedback, this year the RCA revised its proposal, maintaining bi-monthly meetings. The updated rules allow the RCA Chair to cancel a meeting if no agenda items are scheduled, but consecutive cancellations are prohibited. The RCA also implemented improvements in public notification and virtual meeting access.
All in all, this is a huge win. These new regulations ensure continued opportunities for direct public engagement and discussion on critical issues affecting communities across Alaska. AKPIRG is encouraged by the RCA’s response to our feedback, and we hope that they will continue to prioritize public input in their processes going forward.
AKPIRG Energy Team Retreat Recap
Last month, AKPIRG's Energy Team had a two-day retreat to reflect on and celebrate all of the work that we've accomplished in the past year, vision and plan for the future, and to have some fun together in the process. ☀️ It's always such a treat for our staff, who are usually spread out across Alaska, to be in the same room together and to build a vision for AKPIRG's work.
AKPIRG is lucky to have this brilliant and dedicated team of experts working on making Alaska's energy systems more democratic, equitable, transparent, accessible, and affordable.
