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Southwest Alaska: The Genuine Aquabounty -- February 16-17, 2012
   2012 Conference   
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This is another reminder that the 2012 Southwest Alaska Economic Summit & SWAMC Membership Meeting is scheduled for February 16-17 at the Hotel Captain Cook. The Hotel is once again offering $99/night room rates to Conference attendees, so make sure to get your travel arrangements in order soon. Registration for the conference is now open, so sign up today to take advantage of the early registration period, which ends February 2. Click here to see the latest agenda. We hope to see you there, let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Energy Solutions Again a Central Theme for Economic Summit
 Until the challenges of rural Alaska's energy needs are met, we'll continue to focus on some of the innovative and potential solutions that exist to combat the complexities of the resources we depend on for heat, electricity, and transportation. The latest saga taking place in Nome highlights the fact that we need to diversify our energy portfolio in rural Alaska, and the Energy Panel will focus on three subjects central to that theme: energy delivery, energy output, and keeping energy inside the spaces we need it. This is how the session is shaping up:
  • High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Lines - UAF
  • Seawater Heat Pumps - Your Clean Energy, LLC   
  • Wind in Kokhanok - Kokhanok Village Council / Marsh Creek
  • Energy Efficiency for Public Facilities - AHFC   
  • Living Aleutian Home Design Competition - Aleutian Housing Authority 
  • Net Zero Energy Homes - Cascadia Green Building Council: Alaska  

These presentations will include some homegrown solutions with a few statewide and internationally recognized programs as well. Make sure to join us at 3 PM on the afternoon of February 16th as we tackle the issues of high prices, instability, and sustainability of energy in Southwest Alaska. 

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Oil and Gas Another Featured Energy Topic
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Goldsmith
It's been a while since a SWAMC Economic Summit has featured oil and gas, but the topic will be on the agenda next month. Knowing that all of Alaska has its energy challenges,UAA professor Scott Goldsmith will give us his impressions on the value of oil and what the future of Alaska could look like with less of the stuff flowing down the pipeline. Professor Goldsmith has done a lot of research on Alaska's energy supply and he will boil down the reasons for why every Alaskan should care about how we manage this current boom of high oil prices and the future "Post Prudhoe" economy.
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Walker
On the natural gas front burner, former gubernatorial candidate and All-Alaska Pipeline advocate Bill Walker will address the SWAMC audience on the challenges and solutions of getting gas to market, while also taking care of Alaska's needs. Mr. Walker is involved with the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, a group whose "highest priority is to bring maximum benefit to Alaska with the All-Alaska Gasline." He will also have some recent news to report on the prospects of mobile LNG and what that could mean for coastal communities.
Both speakers have been thinking about the state's oil and gas resources - and their maximum benefit to the people of Alaska - for a number of years, so it should be an informative discussion to hear how SWAMC can play a part.      
Southwest Legislative Delegation Featured at Friday Banquetsw leg
 Today marks the start of the second session of the 27th Alaska Legislature, and the members of SWAMC's delegation will be on hand to discuss the important business taking place in Juneau. Sen. Hoffman, Sen. Stevens, Rep. Austerman and Rep. Edgmon will join us the evening of February 17th to cover several of the policy issues that affect Alaska's communities and local/State economies.* Will the Legislature continue to fund and support renewable energy projects around Alaska? Can the State do more to boost seafood exports and production? Will oil taxes continue to dominate the halls, or will other economic development ideas find support above the political fray? Come join us Friday night to find out and ask your own questions.
*Due to Redistricting, we may be joined by a 5th Legislator!
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Air Specials from PenAir
PenAir is helping to support SWAMC and Southwest Alaskans by offering discount round trip airfares between select SW communities and Anchorage. The reduced airfares are ONLY available online and ONLY by using the code SWA99. The following rates are good for the February 16-17, 2012 meeting, and apply to travel between February 14 - 19:

 

Dillingham -- $384

Cold Bay -- $760

King Cove -- $957

King Salmon -- $384

Sand Point -- $726


**In addition, the $49 RT companion fares ("Back on Course" special) are also good for the meeting, but MUST be booked by February 5, 2012. Click here to find out more.**  

Welcome to the World: Ella Jane O'Brienella
Erik O'Brien, SWAMC's Economic Development Specialist, is a self-described numbers guy: he loves to crunch data and run the economic analysis of most any issue. On January 11th Erik was pleased to count one more person in his life, with the birth of his daughter, Ella Jane. Our sincerest congratulations to Erik and Maya. We have little doubt that Ella will be in Larsen Bay at the setnet site later this summer, getting familiar with Southwest Alaska.
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Travel Details...
Hotel
Cook
Airfare
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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
As always...
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