The AKPIRG Advocate, September 2024
SAVE THE DATE! 🎉
50th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser
Mark your calendars!
Join us to celebrate AKPIRG's 50th Anniversary on
Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
We're having a big party to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with our whole community! Join us to cheers to 50 years of AKPIRG at Williwaw Social in Anchorage this November -- there will be good food, amazing entertainment, and even better company.
More details to come soon -- for now, please save the date, and get excited!
Alaska State Legislature honors AKPIRG for 50 years of public interest advocacy
Last month, the AKPIRG board of directors hosted a summer barbecue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with past and present AKPIRG staff and board. It was such a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with so many of the people who helped keep AKPIRG running for the past 50 years.
At the barbecue, Rep. Genevieve Mina presented AKPIRG a citation from the Alaska State Legislature recognizing our 50 years of advocacy for the people of Alaska. The citation commends AKPIRG for our outstanding legacy of public interest advocacy in the legislature since our founding in 1974.
On behalf of all AKPIRG staff and board, we are so grateful to the Alaska State Legislature, especially Rep. Mina and staff, for this immense honor.
☀️Community energy signed into law!☀️
What comes next?
Community Solar has been signed into law! ☀️☀️☀️ We were thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the bill signing of the SAVE Act last month and celebrate this moment with all the advocates who worked on this legislation.
The SAVE Act will empower any Alaskan who pays an electricity bill to invest in renewable energy and reduce their electricity costs. By allowing for community investment into a solar project, this new law will level the playing field and allow all Alaskans to tap into the benefits of renewable energy.
But wait -- there's more!
The success of community energy programs in Alaska depends on regulators and utilities following through on the core purpose of the SAVE Act: allowing all Alaskans equal access to the benefits of renewables.
Read more about how we can supercharge Alaska's energy economy with community energy in our op-ed:
Will the internet be impacted in your community? 📲
Let us know by taking our survey!
AT&T Alaska is proposing an to end long-distance service for 42 Alaskan communities.
Native Movement and AKPIRG, two non-partisan advocacy groups, are concerned about the impact on these communities and are working together to ensure affordable and reliable phone and internet services.
We want to hear from people in the communities possibly losing service. Sharing your current phone and internet quality can help regulators consider these issues when deciding on AT&T’s proposed exit.
Proposed communities to possibly lose service are:
Akutan, Alakanuk, Aniak, Bethel, Chefornak, Chevak, Dillingham, Eek, Ekwok, Emmonak, Galena, Golovin, Goodnews Bay, Holy Cross, Iliamna, King Cove, King Salmon, Kipnuk, Koliganek, Kongiganak, Levelock, Manokotak, Marshall, Mountain Village, New Stuyahok, Nome, Nondalton, Pilot Station, Quinhagak, Russian Mission, Saint Mary’s, Sand Point, Scammon Bay, Shageluk, Stebbins, Togiak, Toksook Bay, Tununak, Twin Hills, Unalakleet, Unalaska and White Mountain.
We are also interested in hearing from the prior 15 communities that lost service: Akiachak, Akiak, Atmautluak, Chuathbaluk, Kasigluk, Koyuk, Kwethluk, Kwigilingok, Mekoryuk, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Newtok, Nunapitchuk, Tuluksak, and Tuntutuliak.
If you have any questions, or would like to take the survey over the phone, feel free to reach out to our Broadband Specialist, Brittany, at brittany@akpirg.org.
AKPIRG On Air 📻
What the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger could mean for Alaskans (Talk of Alaska)
How will the proposed merger between Kroger, who owns Fred Meyer, and Albertsons, who owns Carrs/Safeway, affect Alaskans?
AKPIRG Executive Director Veri di Suvero sat down to discuss the potential impact of the Kroger-Albertsons merger with other experts on Talk of Alaska (Alaska Public Media) last month. They unpack why consumer advocates are so concerned about this megamerger, and what's at stake for Alaskans.
Give it a listen to learn more:
AKPIRG hosts CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in Anchorage
Last month, AKPIRG had the honor of hosting a community roundtable with the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Rohit Chopra!
The CFPB is a unit of the Federal Reserve System charged with protecting consumers from illegal practices by financial institutions, and ensuring that markets and services are fair, transparent, and competitive.
The CFPB asked AKPIRG to host a conversation that included advocates doing everything from direct service to legislative advocacy to help Alaskans navigate complicated financial systems and protect consumers. They were able to share with Director Chopra about the issues that are most pressing for the Alaskans that they serve and offer suggestions of how the CFPB can support their work.
Thank you to Director Chopra and the CFPB for coming to Alaska and for listening to local consumer advocates!
