What are the best strategies for economic development in rural Alaska?
With the cost of energy off the charts high in rural Alaska, how are they supposed to create jobs for their local economy? Value added to our natural resources makes the most sense. However, this can only happen after the cost of energy is reduced either by bringing natural gas off the North Slope at a cheap price resulting from long-term sales of excess gas to world markets. Q: Balancing development and natural resource preservation brings issues that confront Alaskans almost daily. What are some examples of how this is working well, poorly in the state? How can we jointly improve economic progress, environmental care? A: I firmly believe that we must include stakeholders early in the development process. The Prince William Sound Regional Citizen’s Council (PWSRCAC) is a good example how this can work. Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) in 1989, 18 stakeholder organizations impacted by the EVOS came together to create a citizens organization to oversee and provide input to th
