Last December, I urged the Alaska Legislature to take immediate action on the looming natural gas crisis in our state, and I proposed a simple measure the Legislature could take to bring the abundant natural gas reserves in Cook Inlet, owned by the State of Alaska, into production. I was not the only voice calling for action or proposing solutions. As the Anchorage Daily News editorial board noted in a recent editorial, despite “dire warnings from Enstar and gas producers, the Legislature ended its session in mid-May without passing incentives for exploration and production in Cook Inlet, or any meaningful legislation at all to chart a course that could help Alaska avoid gas imports.”

Alaska now faces the troubling prospect of having to import natural gas – a scenario unthinkable in a state with vast, energy-rich lands and resources. While it may seem sensible in the short term, importing gas is a costly and unsustainable solution that will burden Alaskans with higher energy costs and undermine our economic stability.

At the heart of the problem is a lack of action and foresight. Despite knowing about the looming gas shortage, lawmakers have failed to take action to ensure that state energy resources, including Cook Inlet natural gas, are developed and brought into production. While efforts to invest in renewable energy are commendable, renewable energy sources are not yet able to fill the looming gap created by dwindling local gas supplies.

We cannot afford to sit idly by. Alaskans are already suffering the economic burden of rising living costs, and further increases in energy costs could have devastating consequences. Higher energy costs will impact every aspect of our economy, driving up prices for goods and services and putting even more pressure on businesses and families already stretched thin.

To address this crisis, I have proposed leveraging the assets of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) into joint ventures with the companies that hold Cook Inlet oil and gas leases. Through these joint ventures, the State of Alaska can provide the capital needed to fund the necessary exploration and development activities in exchange for firm commitments to drill on a schedule that prevents any gap in utility gas supplies. These actions will benefit not only the Railbelt, but all of Alaska. By stopping the cost of electricity to the Railbelt from rising, rural Alaskans will realize corresponding savings through the electricity cost equalization formula. And projects like the Donlin Gold Mine, which has a fully permitted natural gas pipeline route to Cook Inlet, will directly benefit from ensuring future energy supplies from Cook Inlet gas.

AIDEA has already supported many significant projects such as the Red Dog Mine that benefit the people of Alaska. By partnering with energy producers, we can provide the capital and lead the necessary exploration and development work to ensure a stable and affordable local gas supply.

This proactive approach, along with other proposals, requires immediate legislative action. I urge the Alaska Legislature to convene a special session to address this issue head-on. It is imperative that our elected officials make our state's energy security a top priority and work together across party lines to implement solutions that protect Alaskans from the financial consequences of importing natural gas.

Last December, I tried to take action before the start of the regular session, but the necessary steps were not taken. Now we are running out of time. The legislature must act quickly to incentivize Cook Inlet exploration and enable joint ventures through AIDEA. These actions will ensure we have a reliable, affordable gas supply and avoid the looming energy import crisis.

Alaska's future depends on the decisions we make today. I urge all Alaskans to contact their legislators and demand a special session to address securing our energy future. We cannot wait any longer. Now is the time to act.

Walter Featherley is a candidate for the 11th District of the Alaska House of Representatives on Hillside.

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