AK Moving Ahead On Climate Policy Because It's Utterly Obvious; Melting Roads, Sinking Towns
WASHINGTON In the Trump era, it has mainly been blue states that have taken the lead on climate change policy, with liberal strongholds like California and New York setting ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Now, at least one deep-red state could soon join them: Alaska, a major oil and gas producer, is crafting its own plan to address climate change. Ideas under discussion include cuts in state emissions by 2025 and a tax on companies that emit carbon dioxide.
While many conservative-leaning states have resisted aggressive climate policies, Alaska is already seeing the dramatic effects of global warming firsthand, making the issue difficult for local politicians to avoid. The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above. At least 31 coastal towns and cities may need to relocate, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, as protective sea ice vanishes and fierce waves erode Alaskas shores.
The change has been so real and so widespread that its become impossible to ignore, Byron Mallott, the states Democratic lieutenant governor, said Tuesday while visiting Washington to discuss climate policy. Folks are realizing that its something we have to deal with.
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The task force trod lightly around Alaskas heavy reliance on oil and gas exports. An earlier draft had included a line that said, There is an economic and ethical imperative to pursue a transition away from a global dependence on fossil fuels. That language was dropped in the latest version, which instead suggests that Alaska develop an energy transition strategy, balancing economic concerns with climate change considerations.
Ed. - Of course it was.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/climate/alaska-climate-change.html