Zealous anti-fossil-fuel activists are currently urging their fellow environmentalists to pressure Alaska legislators into passing climate-change legislation that would impose a slew of new permits, regulations and green-energy mandates.

Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition (FCAC) – a group of radical environmentalists, far-left pastors and diversity, equity and inclusion adherents, is sending out alerts, urging its members to push for two bills that would force the state to adopt green-energy mandates, while imposing a 20-cent surcharge on each barrel of oil produced in the state to fund a “climate change response” grant program.

While FCAC employs an incremental strategy to achieve its aims, the group’s ultimate goal is to end the use of all fossil fuels. Its slogan is, “Keep it in the ground.”

A March 13 alert from FCAC praises House Bills 369 and 247.

HB 369, however, would require that Railbelt utilities receive 40% of their electricity from pre-approved “diversified energy resources” by 2036, with the goal of making it easier for more expensive green-energy producers to compete with their more established and cost-effective fossil-fuel counterparts.

According to the bill, Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), would designate which energy sources qualify as properly “diversified.” Additionally, the DEC would require Railbelt utilities to submit annual reports on their greenhouse-gas emissions.

Currently, the DEC does not regulate these emissions. To do so, would require three new full-time staffers to work in the Division of Air Quality. According to the proposed bill, these workers would develop and implement a new greenhouse gas emission permitting program with associated fees, fines and regulations. To enforce these mandates, the bill would include funding to fight expected legal battles.

For the first two years, funding for the new program is slated to come from the state budget, after which funds would be generated through a litany of government fees.

House Bill 247 would impose a 20-cent surcharge on each barrel of oil produced in the state – paid by oil producers.

Sponsored by Anchorage Democrat Rep. Andy Josephson, this legislation aims to fight so-called “climate-related impacts” across Alaska. The oil surcharge is expected to divert $33 million a year into a government grant program administered by the Dept. of Environmental Conservation. The DEC would then funnel this money to various groups and nonprofits to fight climate change.

TAKING ACTION

— House Bill 369 is slated for two hearings next week, March 17 and 19, in the House Energy Committee. Click here to find contact information for those members.

— House Bill 247 is currently in the House Resources Committee. Click here to find contact information for those members.

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