June Energy Newsletter: Accountability
In this issue of FCAC’s Energy Update Newsletter, we’ll be talking about accountability. What does it look like to hold our leaders accountable to their energy promises, or to basic standards of transparency? How can we, as Alaskan residents, exercise our power to demand that our leaders hold up their end of the bargain? We'll cover three examples of this, including a "public interest" court case which aims to hold Hilcorp accountable for their secret oil deal with BP, and how you can involved. We'll also talk about GVEA's promises to shift to more renewables, and how we can take action to demand they take the action they committed to. And lastly, we'll give a recap of the Governor's "false solutions" conference and how ordinary Alaskans took creative action to point out the hypocrisy in this greenwashed campaign stunt.
Why are we showing up to court?
Hilcorp, a Texas-based private LLC with an extensive history of environmental noncompliance and safety violations, has a growing monopoly on Alaska's aging energy infrastructure. The sale of all of BP's Alaskan assets to Hilcorp was the largest oil deal of our generation, and we don't know if they have the money to prevent or clean up a spill in our communities.
The City of Valdez sued to demand transparency from Hilcorp, and we are showing up to the Alaska Supreme Court on June 27 to show the judges that the public is watching. Help us set the standard for transparency in Alaska's energy future.
The Rally
We will be rallying outside of Boney Courthouse in Anchorage starting at 12:00pm on June 27th to show the judges that the people demand transparency from big energy companies like Hilcorp.
Make some noise during your lunch hour and hear from community leaders and activists about the stakes of this court case!
Pack the Courtroom
At 1:00pm, we enter Boney Courthouse as a group to sit in the gallery and show the judges that we are watching. The oral arguments are scheduled to begin at 1:30pm. The people's presence in the courtroom is ESSENTIAL to the City of Valdez's argument that this is a *public interest* case, so bring a friend!
If you can't show up in person, use this link to watch virtually -- the judges will be able to see how many people are tuning in.
You can read more about the background of the court case here.
Can’t make it? We need your help getting the word out! Invite your friends on Facebook here.
Join us in holding GVEA accountable to generate action, not carbon!
GVEA prides itself on being a leader in the energy transition. While they have taken some small steps towards more renewable energy in past years, we’re calling on them for more accountability and action to the things they’ve promised!
In June 2022, over 1 year ago, GVEA’s Board of Directors passed a Strategic Generation Plan (SGP) committing to 5 goals to shift GVEA’s energy generation to more renewable sources.
Resulting action from that plan has been slow. Of the 5 pieces of the SGP, the 2 that were moved forward fastest were those which further reliance on fossil fuels, namely the purchase of natural gas and construction of new technology to keep Healy Unit 1 coal plant open under emission reduction requirements from the EPA.
The SGP stated GVEA would develop an RFP (request for proposals) for large-scale wind power within 60-90 days of the plan's adoption. However, this RFP was not released until May 5th 2023, 8 months after their target date. Similarly, the plan stated that GVEA would “expeditiously move forward within 90 days for the purchase and installation of a new Battery Energy Storage System [BESS].” While GVEA has received proposals for a new BESS, due to higher than expected costs, they have not taken the next step to accomplish this goal.
Finally, the SGP committed GVEA to develop a plan within 90 days for the closure of the Healy 2 coal plant by December 2024. A year has passed and this plan has not, to the public’s knowledge, been developed. GVEA has also said the timeline to retire Healy 2 is 30 months. We’re already 17 months away from their goal closure date with no plan in place.
We would like to remind GVEA of its promises and let them know that we’re watching. Our community deserves more accountability and follow-through. GVEA can and should be a leader in the transition to an equitable, renewable energy future!
Join us by testifying at the GVEA Board meeting on Tuesday, July 25th starting 6:30pm and encourage them to generate action, not carbon! You may attend and testify in-person at 758 Illinois Street or remotely on Microsoft Teams. Click here to join remotely. You must sign up to make a comment by 6:45pm on 7/25 by emailing skredlin@gvea.com or texting (907)978-0547. Reach out to kenzley@fbxclimateaction.org for more talking points or questions about FCAC’s focus on GVEA.
Dunleavy’s not fooling anyone: fossil fuels aren’t sustainable!
Last month members of our staff, in collaboration with Alaska Climate Alliance (ACA) partners, attended the “Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference” to call out the governor’s greenwashed agenda and uplift real solutions for the energy transition. For a full reflection, check out this community perspective.
The highlight of FCAC’s engagement was a chalk art party we co-hosted to uplift community voices and visions!
Accountability can look so many different ways, but no matter how we hold our leaders accountable, it's important to remember that we DO have that power. We can use our creativity to remind our leaders who they represent, and when we do, we magnify our power. If you're interested in other ways you can take action around energy issues, please consider joining either the Renewable Energy Working Group or the Keep it in the Ground Working Group!
