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Alaska's largest statewide Native organization passed a resolution recently endorsing federal legislation that would require large-scale utilities to obtain at least a quarter of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Village residents and delegates of the Alaska Federation of Native rightly see renewable energy as a way to lower exorbitant energy costs.

Alaska villages are mostly dependent on diesel generators and continue to pay the highest electricity, transportation and overall energy costs in the country. Often not represented in national polling, village residents are spending as much as 40 percent of family household income on energy costs. Diversifying with renewable energy - such as wind, appropriate hydroelectric technologies, geothermal, ocean and solar - can help the state offset the ongoing village energy crisis.

Alaska, more than any other state in the nation, has witnessed changes in its environment linked to global warming emissions that come from burning fossil fuels for energy. We can reduce the long-term effects of global warming by investing in more renewable energy projects. A strong national renewable electricity standard can benefit Alaskans through a new revenue stream created by selling clean energy credits to lower-48 utilities that would have to meet the requirement. Another benefit is that most proposed bills in Congress would give double credits to renewable energy generated on Alaska Native lands. The credits would provide needed revenue and additional incentives for Alaska Native tribes and corporations to install renewable energy systems.

Alaskans should follow the lead of the Alaska Federation of Natives and call on Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski to support a strong renewable electricity standard when a climate and energy bill reaches a Senate vote.

Andrea Sanders

Bethel/Quinhagak