Last week, Northwest Arctic community members, Borough leaders, legislatures, and energy experts gathered together for the Northwest Arctic Regional Energy Summit, in Kotzebue. Ethan Berkowitz, Democratic candidate for Alaska’s seat at the U.S. Congress, also was among those invited. Berkowitz, an old friend of Rep. Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, has been traveling to the region for over 13 years.

For too long, high fuel prices have suffocated rural Alaskans. The sting of high energy costs put big strains on family budgets, and continues to push village businesses from profitability to bankruptcy to extinction. The entire state is now in the midst of a full-blown energy crisis and, as rural Alaska knows too well, it is past time for solutions.

Democratic House candidate Ethan Berkowitz stopped by KCAW last Thursday (7-3-08) to talk with reporter Andi McDaniel about the issues weighing on Sitkans’ minds these days.

Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis sent Ethan several questions for her blog. The questions covered topics ranging from the war in Iraq to energy policy to veterans. Read Ethan’s answers here.

When Ethan Berkowitz talks about his policy ideas—those he’ll push if he’s successful in his run for Don Young’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives—he talks fast and excitedly, like an Energizer bunny in high gear. Which is appropriate, because energy policy is one of his overriding passions.

Energy is the issue facing our state and our country. Every day, Alaskans are confronted with crippling prices at the gas pump and when we pay our electric and heating bills. It’s not just fuel and electricity, either: in the last year, higher transportation costs have led to skyrocketing prices at the grocery store. This winter, particularly in rural Alaska, I fear that too many Alaskans will be forced to choose between heating and eating. High energy prices are at the root of our stalled economy, and we cannot build America until we solve this problem.

The race for Alaska’s lone seat in Congress made a stop Friday in Mountain View. Four out of the five candidates talked about immigration, healthcare, education and the economy at the Hispanic Affairs Council of Alaska forum. Congressman Don Young, who told the council he had a scheduling conflict, was a no show.

Something is wrong. Alaska produces a lot of oil for America, and yet we pay some of the highest prices for energy in the country. Look at your utility bill. Check out the price of gas at the pump. Remember the dollars you spent to heat your house through the winter.

My priorities include: Lower Energy Costs; Alaskan Energy for Alaskans; Local Renewable Energy Resources; Promote Energy Independence for America; and Developing Alaska’s Natural Gas.