At Schwarzenegger's Governors Meeting, Where's Palin?
by David Sassoon - Nov 19th, 2008
It was a good day for climate action today at the Governor's Global Climate Summit. It started off with President-elect Obama who said to the assemblage via videotape
My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change,
and ended with news that Mark Begich -- not Ted Stevens -- will be going to the Senate to represent Alaska. That's yet another vote you can count on to help in the effort to pass good federal climate legislation.
The absence of Stevens also means that Lisa Murkowski, the other Senator from Alaska, can emerge from his powerful shadow and be her more moderate Republican self. At least that's the hope of Kate Troll, the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation Alliance.
It was the end of a long day and Kate sat down with me to explain a thing or two about Alaska, whose Governor, Sarah Palin, was not attending the Governor's Global Climate Summit.
"I don't see why she's not center stage here," Troll said. Well, why would Sarah Palin show up at a climate summit?
Troll explained that Palin -- "the energy expert" -- would have a lot to contribute to the proceedings. Look at the energy portfolio Paiin's been handed, Troll said. Palin could have one-upped Schwarzenegger himself, who got headlines for committing California to producing 33% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
"We've got such abundant renewable energy resources that Alaska could be the first state to generate 50%of its power from clean sources by 2025. Wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal eventually -- and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas to serve as a bridge."
Who knew? When you think of Alaska and energy, don't you think "oil?"
Think again. Sit down and talk with Kate Troll, and you'll learn that there's ten times more wind energy in Alaska than in the Great Plains. She talks about it, and you reach for your windprooof down parka. With 24% of electricity in Alaska already coming from hydro, another 26% is well within reach.
"There is so much more to Alaska than 'drill, baby, drill,'" she says.
A great day for climate action indeed. Alaska not only got a new Senator, but a new clean face. And another indication that the Republican center on energy and climate issues is moving away from the oil wing of the party and toward the leadership positions of Schwarzenegger and his fellow traveler from Florida, Governor Charlie Crist.
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