Fairbanks: Microreactor, Port of Alaska, Weatherization and More!

September 8, 2023

Last week I was honored as the Co-Chair of the Joint Armed Services Committee to host members of the United States Air Force, Army, members of DOD, and members of our legislature in a joint meeting on the future of Alaska, our relationship to the U.S Military and new and exciting energy opportunities at the Fairbanks LIO.

It was an honor to meet with Dr. Ravi Chaudhary: the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment; Nancy J Balkus: The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure; Karim Farishta: the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs; Tammie Perreault: the Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office, and Dr. David Leinberger: the Program Manager at the U.S. Army.

Eielson Air Force Base to get a Microreactor

While it’s hard to believe that Dr. Ravi Chaudhary and his team wasn’t just in Fairbanks to enjoy the fall weather and beautiful scenery, they were also here to talk about the new advanced nuclear microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base.

The Defense Logistics Agency on Energy on behalf of the United States Air Force has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a contract to OKLO Inc. which would provide power and heat by way of the Air Force’s Microreactor pilot program. OKLO focuses on developing the next generation of fission reactors which will help provide energy for the base and serve as a trial run for future projects. The microreactor will be able to output about 5 Megawatts of electricity and a combined heat and power output of 15 Megawatts. The Aurora Power Plant produces about 32 Megawatts of electricity. The microreactor won’t make quite that much but will be a necessary first step towards nuclear energy in Alaska.

Port of Anchorage Delivers to All of Alaska

Did you know that 90% of our food, office and school supplies, and clothes comes through the Port of Alaska in Anchorage? 100% of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s jet fuel comes through the port as well as three quarters of the fuel used at Ted Stevens International Airport. The port also is one of the Department of Defense Designated Commercial Seaports and supports U.S. military missions across Alaska and around the globe.

The Port of Alaska is crucial to the future of Alaska. I was lucky enough to be able to tour the port and see first-hand how much cargo comes through it. Right now, the Port of Alaska is continuing to modernize their docks to ensure the continued flow of goods into Alaska.

Suicide Remains a Scourge to Alaska

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation. The National Veteran Suicide Prevention 2022 Annual Report states that the suicide rate for someone who served in the military is more than 50% higher than a civilian who never served. And according to a 2015 study by Patrick M. Anderson and the Sealaska Heritage Institute, Alaska Natives have among the highest rates of suicide in the world, from a high of 90.9 per 100,000 in the Northwest Arctic to a low of 9 per 100,000 in Southeast Alaska. With such statistics, we must uplift services that provide resources and help prevent suicide. One such service is the Crisis Now Fairbanks Mobile Crisis Team.

The Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center (FECC) has dispatched the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) since October 2021. FECC developed MCT levels of response based on the severity and urgency of the call with guidance from other states with established crisis teams. FECC has a longstanding relationship with Alaska Careline, due to the crisis call center being based out of Fairbanks. Calls between both entities, including calls originated from the national 988 system, are exchanged based on the need of the callers. Alaska Careline provides crisis care and suicide prevention to Alaskans statewide through operating the 988 hotline (established in July 2022) and continues to offer assistance to Alaskans who call their center directly.

Crisis Now is working on establishing a “no wrong door” crisis stabilization center in Fairbanks. This center would offer 100% acceptance to all in crisis (voluntary or involuntary), prompt assessments, medication, stabilization, recliners, and a relaxing and safe place to go. Alongside this more temporary 23-hour stabilization center there would ideally be a short-term stabilization side which will be for those who need more time to stabilize. I am excited to see the plans for this center come to life. We must remember that mental health wellness is a public health issue, just as reducing any other disease or illness. It is up to the public to improve outreach and resources available to reduce suicide and self-harm.

Weatherization Saves Alaskans Money

On September 19^th the Alaska Environment Research and Policy Center is hosting their third webinar in their Clean Energy Homes series: Winter Weatherization and Efficiency. Beginning at 5:30pm, they will be partnering with REAP to provide resources, DIY ideas, and suggestions on how to take advantage of state and federal incentive programs aimed at lowering home heating bills and to reduce energy use. Have questions? This is a great opportunity to get answers to specific needs and advice on how to get started.

Alaskan Seafood Certified Safe

Japan has begun releasing wastewater from Fukushima. This has generated buzz from the media and global seafood customers. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute would like consumers to know that they can be confident that seafood from Alaska is safe to eat. Kelly Rawalt, from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, states, “At this time, we do not believe there is a risk of contamination from this release. We will continue to actively monitor Alaskan fish through surveillance sampling. Additionally, our international partners (World Health Organization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)) monitor this issue and will notify us of detections from water currents moving over to Alaska which will help inform our ongoing monitoring efforts locally.” (https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/08/23/fukushima-nuclear-power-plant-may-release-tons-treated-radioactive-wastewater-potentially-impacting-alaskas-waters/)

IDs For All

Incarcerated individuals often find themselves without valid identification upon release and returning to their homes. An ID is required for almost everything these days. A law by Rep. Andrew Gray and Senator Robb Myers was signed into law to ensure that the Alaska Department of Corrections provides, free of charge, an ID card. Alaskans who go through the justice system are our neighbors, employees and friends.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff are are still working for you. Feel free to contact my office and we will assist you with issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,