The following seven 2012 Legislative Priorities for the Greater Fairbanks Chamber
of Commerce were adopted by the Board of Directors on September 26, 2011.
Priority #1: Reduce the High Cost of Energy Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to support initiatives that lower the cost of energy in the Interior. The high cost of energy in the Interior is causing financial hardship and limiting economic growth. To alleviate this situation, we encourage the support of initiatives that lower energy costs and that advance the State’s renewable energy goals.
Priority #2: Encourage New Oil Production Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and Administration to establish competitive investment opportunities and taxation and regulatory policies that will facilitate new oil exploration and production (including viscous and heavy oil), and reverse the dramatic, continuing oil production decline
Priority #3: Support the Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline (ASAP) Project Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to support Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s (AGDC) Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline project, ensuring long-term, cost-effective fuel and energy throughout the State, conditioned on an equal tariff for Anchorage, Fairbanks and North Pole and a terminus in North Pole.
Priority #4: Continue to Strengthen the Military Presence in Interior Alaska Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to continue to strengthen the United States Military presence in the Interior by supporting the Strategic Plan developed by the Alaska Military Force and Structure Team (AMFAST), the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) and the missile defense system components at Fort Greely and Clear Air Force Station. Interior Alaska offers strategic geographic and training range development opportunities to the military that make it an attractive location for military investment.
Priority #5: Support Funding for the University of Alaska Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (GFCC) urges the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to maintain strong support and funding for the University of Alaska. The GFCC recognizes the University of Alaska as an integral factor in the social and economic development of our state. A vibrant university is vital for the education of our citizenry, the development of a highly trained workforce, and the research and development endeavors necessary to address the state’s critical challenges. The University’s ability to serve its mission for Alaska depends on financial support, and the recognition of its role in shaping the future of Alaska.
Priority #6: Establish a State Fund for Transportation Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to create a funding mechanism for maintenance and capital improvements for investment in Alaska’s land, water, and air transportation systems. Alaska’s transportation infrastructure is pivotal to the State’s economy to access markets, supplies and resources. Improving and investing in its transportation system will enhance the competitiveness of businesses and economic opportunities for its people.
Priority #7: Increase Funding for the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS) Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to support increased funding for the Fairbanks/North Pole Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS), vital to positioning the area for successful economic development. Economic opportunities such as increased military presence or the construction of a gas line demand changing transportation infrastructure to support these developments.
Additionally, the Board of Directors adopted the priorities listed below to be advocated on when appropriate: (NOTE: The following list of priorities is not ranked and is randomly listed.)
Increase Responsible Natural Resource Development by Improving Efficiencies of the Permitting Process Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce supports a significant increase in responsible natural resource development and encourages the Alaska State Legislature and Administration to uphold & support Alaska’s strong regulatory and permitting laws and policies that will facilitate additional exploration, site development, employment, infrastructure, research, and natural resource production in Alaska. The Alaska State Legislature should work with the Alaska Congressional Delegation to address the multitudes of Federal laws that adversely impact natural resource development in Alaska and elsewhere.
Support Increased Investment for Critical Maintenance & Facilities Needs at Educational Institutions, K - 20 Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (GFCC) urges the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to support a major investment in the substantial backlog in critical maintenance needs at the University of Alaska and K-12 school district facilities. Serving the needs of students throughout Alaska, from urban centers to rural villages, requires a wide variety of facilities. The University and School Districts are responsible for the annual maintenance and repair of facilities, but budgets have been squeezed in recent years due in part to the rising cost of energy. Maintaining adequate facilities from kindergarten through higher education is in the best interest of the state. Children need safe and properly maintained facilities to explore, learn and prepare for adulthood. University students require the same assurances.
Upgrade and Maintain the Natural Gas Pipeline Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to upgrade and maintain the existing transportation facilities along the proposed natural gas pipeline corridor. It is critical to maintain the existing transportation infrastructure while preparing for anticipated gas line development, which is vital to the state’s economy. The needs of the state highway systems, airports and the Alaska Railroad connection to tidewater ports should all be addressed prior to the gas line construction.
Create a Fund for Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Rural Alaska Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (GFCC) requests that the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor create a state-funded Sustainable Rural Community Fund to incentivize the development of innovative projects that address the critical housing needs and promote the development of sustainable infrastructure in rural Alaska
Examine the Burden of Taxation on Natural Resource Industries Position Statement
In order for Alaska to be a better place to do business, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (GFCC) encourages the Alaska State Legislature and Governor to examine the total tax burden of non-fuel natural resource extraction, to include Federal, State, Local, and Municipal jurisdictional effects. The objective should be to create a reasonable, uniform, supportive tax structure within jurisdictional units to the extent that developmental entities can rely on a reasonable and consistent tax burden.
Support for Investment in Best Beginnings, Alaska’s Early Childhood Initiative, to Promote Alaska’s Future Economic Success Position Statement
Education and Social Sciences research demonstrates that children raised in nurturing, stable, and stimulating environments, at home and away from home, have better outcomes later in life. Alaska and its communities pay a heavy price for neglect in the early years. The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce urges the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to support investment in Best Beginnings, a public-private partnership coordinating statewide efforts to ensure that all Alaska children start school ready to succeed in the classroom and in life.
Continue Environmental and Engineering Studies for Railroad Realignment in the Greater Fairbanks Area Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce asks the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to provide financial support enabling continued environmental and engineering studies necessary to develop a comprehensive plan addressing the safety, delays to vehicular traffic and efficiency issues associated with the current rail alignment through the core of the community from Sheep Creek Road to North Pole, including providing more direct rail service to Fairbanks International Airport, industrial areas south and east of town as well as the refinery complex.
Support and Expand Efforts to Make Energy Affordable for Alaska’s Rural Communities Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and Administration to support and expand efforts to reduce energy costs in our State’s Rural Communities. GFCC expresses general support and encourages continued funding for Alaska Energy Authority’s Power Cost Equalization and Renewable Energy Grant Fund programs, and requests increased funding to expand Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Enhanced Weatherization program and Alaska Energy Authority’s Emerging Energy Technology Fund. Through these actions, the Fairbanks Chamber encourages the State of Alaska to adopt a long-term, affordable energy plan that reduces the immediate financial burden on rural citizens, while developing sustainable infrastructure for our rural communities
Continue Support of Power Cost Equalization Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce urges the Governor and the Alaska State Legislature to continue contributing general funds to the Power Cost Equalization Endowment to reduce power costs in rural Alaskan communities to include public entities – i.e. schools municipalities, and tribal facilities – as a bridge gap until other affordable energy sources can be implemented.
Support Alaska State Council for the Arts (ASCA) Budget Request Position Statement
The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) supports statewide Arts programs that are effective in creating a solid economic factor in the development of successful communities. The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce supports a strong and vibrant cultural community and asks the Alaska State Legislature and Governor to continue support for the arts in Alaska by supporting ASCA’s budget request.
Support and Encourage Renewable Resource Development and Management Forestry and Agriculture Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to proactively support and encourage the development and sound management of our forest and agricultural resources. Implicit with this position is the acknowledgement of the inherent importance of developed access as local agriculture and forest resources will play an increasing role in the livability and lifestyles of Alaska’s growing population. Additionally, we encourage continued support of innovative, fire-management and forest management efforts by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR).
Urban Rural Connection: Support the Development of the Western Access Corridor Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and Governor to support the development of an access corridor and infrastructure from the Interior to Nome and the Seward Peninsula as it would greatly enhance the connectivity, economic viability and well-being of numerous rural communities along the Yukon corridor and surrounding areas to Fairbanks and the Interior.
Advocate for Wise Management of Fish and Wildlife Position Statement
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce encourages the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor to advocate for the wise management of Alaska’s fish and wildlife resources. Alaska must responsibly balance subsistence, commercial, personal use, sport, and other recreational uses to maximize long-term social and economic benefit. Proactive management actions should be used to provide fish and wildlife population abundances necessary for long-term and maximum use under the sustained yield principle. Finally, the Alaska State Legislature and State Administration should work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to monitor and advocate for the special provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) that are unique to Alaska and to insure that state interests and public access to fish and wildlife resources are adequately considered.
