Legislators may take up climate change spending this month

A legislative proposal to spend $1.5 million advancing Alaska's positions on climate change and related issues could be discussed later this month.

The plan's major proponent, Rep. John Harris, said Alaska has sat on its heels too long while the nation considers new rules on carbon emissions, such as cap and trade, which could have repercussions for business and industry.

He wants a firm to help identify what the state could do in conjunction with others to present its case to the federal government. But, he also wants Alaska acting as one.

"We really want the administration to be on board with this," Harris said. "We didn't get much from the Palin administration; nobody ever gave anybody direction. Now we've approached the Parnell administration, but we haven't seen much in the way of direction either.

"Maybe once they see us doing something, they'll move forward. It would work a lot better if you had the Legislature, the state and the administration working together."

Harris, R-Valdez, is chairman of the Legislative Council, a select group of powerful lawmakers with the authority to conduct the Legislature's business outside of the regular session. He's also challenging Parnell for the state's top job in the 2010 election.

The council is developing a Request for Proposals they'll ask companies to bid on. The plan is to hire a public relations firm to promote Alaska's interests in climate change, endangered species and global warming issues at the national level, Harris said.

A couple of big-name entities have already expressed interest to Harris' office. They include former New York City mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's firm, Bracewell & Giuliani; and Alaska House, a New York City non-profit founded by Alice Rogoff, who owns a majority interest in Alaska Dispatch. Also in the game are Pac/West Communications, an Oregon firm with Alaska ties, and Nossaman LLP, a Washington, D.C, law firm.

While the Legislative Council's next meeting isn't yet scheduled, Harris said the proposal could come up later this month or in October. Meanwhile, he's shoring up support among his colleagues.

"This is not something I'm trying to shove down anyone's throat," he said. "We believe it is an important issue for the economic livelihood of the state, as well as the environmental livelihood of the state."

Contact Rena Delbridge at rena@alaskadispatch.com