By ALEX GIMARC
As the price of gasoline here in Anchorage spikes over $4 a gallon, having more than doubled in the last 14 months, Alaskans increasingly are asking the congressional delegation what they plan on doing about it. And the responses have been stunningly feckless.
Our senior U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski claims that the Interior Secretary she supported, defended, and voted for as a historic nominee (Native woman, filling the diversity squares and pandering to Alaska Natives) is simply taking orders from the White House, excusing her actions.
She goes on to justify that Americans may endure some unspecified amount of pain at the gas pump in order to shut down imports of Russian oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
For his part, Congressman Don Young, proposes legislation to steal yachts and other property from unspecified “Russian oligarchs.”
If we want to address the rapidly spiking cost of gasoline and other petroleum products, the solution is relatively easy and straightforward. Consider it as the policy version of the First Law of Holes (if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging).
The single cause of spiking energy costs is the Biden Administration’s war on fossil fuel over the last 14 months. Reverse all the anti-production Executive Orders, reverse decisions to cancel federal energy leases, shut down pipelines, and obstruct other energy projects, and we will quickly revert to an energy exporter, not dependent on Russian or Iranian oil just like we were under President Trump.
Easy, peasy, right?
Not for our senior U.S. senator, who is busily making excuses for her Interior Secretary, and issuing press releases describing her outrage after actions taken to shut down development, energy and infrastructure projects in Alaska.
The most recent example was the joint press release blasting cancellation of the Ambler Road.
Murkowski is not without ability to quickly act on things that anger her or that scare her. Two examples are her vote to convict former President Trump three weeks after he left office, and her full support of the political witch hunt following the Jan 6, 2021 riot. She is apparently uninterested in releasing 14,000 hours of video that is still hidden 14 months after the event, or investigating any incitement by FBI informants or other government operatives during the festivities.
Apparently Sec. Deb Haaland has not done anything sufficiently outrageous to Alaska to garner Murkowski’s ire like “Orange Man Bad” or his supporters managed to do.
One of the things I don’t understand about the delegation’s support for Haaland is that while a congressional member from New Mexico, Haaland was a well-known supporter of the Green New Deal. I expect some of the delegation asked the appropriate questions about what she was going to do as Interior Secretary. It appears that those responses were well received, as all of the delegation supported Haaland, celebrating her nomination. If Haaland lied, and is not doing what she promised to do for Alaska, why isn’t the delegation screaming bloody murder about her lies, demanding her resignation? If Haaland is being strong-armed into acting contrary to her promises to the delegation by the White House, why hasn’t Haaland resigned? That neither of these things has happened makes it appear the delegation was in on the scam all along.
What could the delegation do in response? They could support Sen. Ted Cruz’s effort to restore American energy independence. They could take steps to remove Haaland from office, just as quickly and painfully as possible. They could publicly renounce their support for renewables and other green energy, products of persuasion and propaganda campaigns funded by Russia.
The more energy produced in the United States, the less oil and natural gas Putin is able to sell internationally and the less money he has available to prosecute a war. Somehow this little fact has not yet penetrated the hallowed halls of our congressional delegation and their staff. Perhaps someone should tell them.
As to Congressman Young’s proposal to pass legislation to steal property from Russian oligarchs, this is an example of him being in Washington far, far too long. How soon do you think the Biden administration would use the newfound power on their political enemies?
There is a vehicle available to get this done, though: A declaration of war. Bring one to the floor of the House, Don, if you dare.
Personal message to our congressional delegation: I will not support any additional increase in the price of gasoline, oil, or natural gas for any reason. I will not support importing oil or natural gas from either Russia or Iran. I will support returning the United States to an energy independent nation. Sooner would be better than later. We did it as recently as 14 months ago. We know how it is done.
The path to cheaper energy is relatively clear and straightforward: Do anything other than what the Biden Administration and his political appointees have done over the course of the last 14 months.
Murkowski, use the same sort of passion you used to oppose President Trump and you will do well. Anything short of that level of effort and passion, and I will conclude that your outrage is proforma, crocodile tears, boob bait for bubbas. You had a central part in creating this problem. It is time to step up to the plate and do something about it.
Taking public responsibility for your malfeasance will be a good first step. Otherwise, we will get ourselves a new delegation one election at a time. The clock is ticking.
Alex Gimarc lives in Anchorage since retiring from the military in 1997. His interests include science and technology, environment, energy, economics, military affairs, fishing and disabilities policies. His weekly column “Interesting Items” is a summary of news stories with substantive Alaska-themed topics. He was a small business owner and information technology professional
