AFFORDABLE ENERGY VISION
LOWER BILLS AND FEWER OUTAGES. LONG-TERM INDEPENDENCE.
Energy affects everything in Alaska: groceries, heating, healthcare, housing, and jobs. My plan treats energy as a cost-of-living emergency right now as well as the foundation of Alaska’s long-term independence.
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Customize energy solutions community by community so that each region receives the lowest total-cost options that actually work in their unique conditions. Focus on savings today, not projects that raise rates first and promise future payoffs.
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Keep Cook Inlet gas available by extending the supply through proven exploration incentives and smart permitting, and deploy natural gas strategically for peak winter demand, when power use spikes and reliability matters most, rather than relying on it year-round.
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Keep power reliable and rates stable by using new energy alongside the existing oil and gas systems Alaska already relies on. Invest in solutions that are proven, incentivize testing new technologies in Alaska’s climate, and maintain what’s already working. Every investment should lower risk and keep costs affordable by spreading them out over time.
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Use Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation financing to keep energy projects affordable, and make sure big new power users don’t drive up costs for everyone else. Build power, transportation, and housing together so growth is reliable, coordinated, and actually benefits Alaskans.
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Turn village energy from a permanent expense into a lasting source of revenue by expanding tribal and village ownership of local generation, distribution, and storage. Scale hybrid microgrids that cut fuel use, stabilize bills, and create local jobs, allowing communities to sell excess power, reinvest proceeds into infrastructure, and build revolving energy funds.
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Protect water systems, food storage, clinics, emergency services, and schools from outages because reliable power means safer communities, fewer medical evacuations, and stronger local economies. Replace deep-cold equipment that fails repeatedly, including winter-vulnerable microgrids.
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Scale technologies already proven in cold, remote regions. Train and employ Alaskans to build and maintain these systems, keeping wages and expertise in-state. Over time, predictable household budgets and business confidence will allow for stable growth.
TOM’S ENERGY EXPERIENCE
As a State Senator, Tom co-founded the Innovation Caucus, served on the World Trade Committee, and led efforts to expand affordable alternative energy.
His work has consistently focused on lowering the cost of living and strengthening Alaska’s long-term energy independence.