First Friday Preview on Snowy Rainy Day from Empty Capitol

 

 The snow was blowing hard and wet when I walked over to the Capitol around noon today.  But that didn't slow down the kids on the swings at Capitol Park.

Lot's of doors were closed with no lights on inside. The Clerk's Office at least had a sign. So many people are at the Energy Council Conference there's no need to stick around.  House Minority Chair, Juneau Rep. Beth Kerttula's newsletter to constituents characterizes the Energy Council hiatus this way:

There has been some concern about the Legislature sending 21 members to the Energy Council meeting in Washington DC. Three out of the 15 members of my caucus are going. While I do not agree with every view of the Energy Council, I believe the work our legislators will do is important for Alaska.

The Energy Council is a legislative organization comprised of energy producing states and countries, including 11 states and Canada. The Council provides a forum for discussing government policies regarding energy and the environment. While traditionally concerned with fossil fuels, the Council is also expanding discussions on alternative energy forms, such as wind power. With so much of Alaska’s budget dependent on oil and gas production, it is essential that we have a strong voice in these discussions.

The three House Democrats who are going will also take advantage of the opportunity to meet with several people and groups that are essential in forming national and international energy policy. Among their extra-curricular appointments are meetings with:

·         Alaska’s Congressional Delegation;

·         Pete Rouse, Juneauite and Senior Advisor to the President;

·         The Federal Coordinator of Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects;

·         The Environmental Protection Agency office that is in charge of Outer Continental Shelf permitting;

·         A member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources;

·         The Department of Transportation on pipeline integrity issues and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System; and

·         Our very own Senator Kim Elton in his current position with the Department of Interior.

Topics of discussion at the Energy Council meeting include:

·         Natural gas policy;

·         Market monitoring by the Federal Energy Regulation Commission;

·         Report from the U.S. Department of Energy;

·         Report from Copenhagen;

·         National security and energy;

·         Clean energy program development;

·         Smart grid implementation; and

·         Research projects.

While a learning experience for Alaskan legislators, going to DC is also an opportunity to teach people about Alaskan energy issues. The work they do there is valuable for the state. I always look forward to hearing from them when they return – and then forging ahead with the session!

I went across the street from the Capitol to see if the Juneau-Douglas City Museum had a First Friday schedule for tonight and got a preview of their new exhibit by local artist Puanani Maunu.  There will be jazz too I was told.  These are all big, bold paintings.

  

  

I'm a sucker for ravens and I love the overall effect.  

A couple of the individual pictures don't feel 

completely right to me, but others are dead on. 

[BTW, I think all 16 were on sale for $1300 or $1400, 

so if you're interested call the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.

I expect this one will go tonight. Ravens do that to people.]

  

And since I'm on the topic of art, here's audio tech Heather (she helps record the hearings) changing the pictures in the Capitol stairwell the other day.  The landings have pictures from different schools around Alaska. 

  

Here's a picture of the stairwell I took a while ago, 

waiting for an appropriate place to post it.

  

And here are pictures done by students at Mikelnguut 

Elitnaurviat Elementary School in Bethel, Alaska.

 

And here's a picture through the now mostly rain distorting windows of the bridge between the Capitol and the Thomas Stewart Building.  Looking down Seward Street.