An Informed Person is a Person of Action
Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the political process and as individuals it is difficult at best to become politically engaged, or even to keep track of what is being done on our behalf. Alaska IPL is here to help. On this page and through electronic Action Alerts, we keep you informed of significant legislation and provide you with the (voluntary) opportunity to voice your concerns and hopes to representatives. Keep in mind you don't have to publicly voice your concerns to be politically engaged. However, we are called to serve as citizens and it is our civil duty to be informed of policy that effect each of us. It is also our moral duty as people of faith to speak on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves (please see AVN's Guide to Scripture and Policy). As one of our founding fathers once said, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government;... whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights." --Thomas Jefferson, 1789 To receive Action Alerts, please contact Mary Walker at
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In the Know: Current Federal Legislation On June 26th, The House of Representatives passed The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), by a vote of 219 to 212. This legislation is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that charts a new course towards a clean energy economy. Since then, separate climate legislation has been introduced in the Senate. If passed, The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), will need to be reconciled with the American Clean Energy and Security Act. To become law, the joint legislation would then receive a final vote in both chambers, before being sent to the president for signing. ACTION ALERT: Alaska IPL created a sign-on letter, calling upon both Senators Murkowski and Begich to support meaningful climate legislation, such as, The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Click here to read the letter. If you would like to add your electronic signature to the letter, please contact Mary Walker at
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Stewardship Bills Introduced During Alaska's 26th Legislative Session The 2009 legislative session has come to a close. While the following bills did not pass the legislative session they are poised for consideration and action when the 27th legislative session begins next January. Because Alaska works in two-year legislative cycles, bills not passed this session will be held over the summer and re-visited in January. In the interim, we can garner more support for these important stewardship bills before the Legislature reconvenes sometime in mid-January 2010. SB 121 Energy Efficiency Buildings/Public Works - Sponsor Resources Committee "An Act relating to energy efficiency for public facilities with the intent of reducing state operating costs." SB 150 Emerging Energy Technology Fund - Sponsor Sen. McGuire (R-Anchorage) This fund would create an emerging energy technology fund through the Alaska Center for Energy and Technology to provide grants and loans to eligible applicants for research, development or demonstration projects designed to test new energy technologies or methodologies of conserving energy and/or to improve an existing energy technology. SB 152 Transportation; Transit Authorities - Sponsor Senator Huggins (R-Wasilla) "An Act relating to municipal transportation systems and to regional transit authorities."
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