BETHEL – Governor Bill Walker testified before the United States Senate Energy Committee at a field hearing in Bethel Monday, addressing the high cost of energy in Alaska. The Governor joined U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Representative Bob Herron, Cold Climate Housing Research Center Director Jack Hebert, and others to talk about the need to develop innovative solutions that bring affordable energy to Alaska communities.

“I thank Senator Murkowski, Secretary Moniz, and members of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee for traveling to Bethel and taking the time to hear from Alaskans on the high cost of energy in our state,” said Governor Walker. “Too many Alaskans struggle to pay expensive heat, electricity, and transportation bills. With some of the highest energy costs in the nation, Alaska should be the petri dish of energy innovation. I am glad to see members of Congress and the Obama administration looking for ways to bolster that innovation and address our state’s energy challenges.”

During his testimony, Governor Walker talked about opportunities for the state to address high energy costs and fill the budget deficit by developing renewable energy, natural gas, and oil resources in Alaska. Specifically, the Governor stressed the need to develop part of the 1002 section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]

“We have an oil pipeline that is three-quarters empty, and we can self-heal if we have responsible access to our resources,” Governor Walker said. “Drilling in the 1002 section of ANWR would help fill our oil pipeline and provide much needed revenue to our state’s economy.”

While in the Bethel region, Governor Walker, Senate Energy Committee members, and Secretary Moniz visited the village of Oscarville to learn about the community’s holistic approach to address issues like public health, high energy costs, and water sanitation. Through a grant to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at UAF, non-profit organizations and state agencies have begun efforts in Oscarville with the hope of duplicating the holistic model in other villages across the state.

“The work being done by the Cold Climate Housing Research Center and others to address the challenges faced in Oscarville and other rural communities should be commended,” Governor Walker said. “As Alaskans, we are at our best when we pull together to solve our problems. The work being done in Oscarville is a perfect example of Alaskans pulling together, and I look forward to watching this project progress in the future.”[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adversal-468×60″]

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