November Election Marks Sea Change in Alaska Politics
Wednesday, December 10, 2008(National Wildlife Federation)
The November elections saw voters across
the country calling for new answers to our
nation's economic, energy and environmental
challenges. The call for a different direction
rang out loudly in
This change in leadership is likely to
result in new actions and approaches in
addressing issues of deep concern to Alaskans,
especially energy and the environment. As
mayor, Senator-elect Begich made high-profile
investments in energy efficiency, created the
city's first renewable resources manager
position, and saved hundreds of thousands of
dollars in the process. He has been a leading
voice calling for development of
Initially a climate skeptic, he got engaged in the U.S. Mayors' work on climate change and changed his mind, signing the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement and hosting a Mayor's Conference on Climate in Anchorage. On the campaign trail, his public support for a federal carbon cap and trade program to reduce emissions and transition to a clean energy economy contrasted sharply with Senator Stevens' opposition to action on climate and focus on expanded oil and gas development.
Senator-elect Begich is a moderate
Democrat and not always a wildlife and
environmental champion. He has sometimes
prioritized economic development over wildlife;
he opposed, for example, the recent listing of
beluga whales in Cook Inlet (off the