Alaska politicians traditionally run behind the curve on any sort of state of the art technology. In an era where global greenhouse gassing has already passed 400 p.p.m. of CO2 they seek after oil and gas development in the critical northern region of the world where emissions exacerbate global warming problems. The railbelt doesn't need a dam or the state a gas pipeline. Los Angeles will install a lithium ion battery array in 5 years to replace its natural gas power plant for peak use times. Besides wind, solar and geothermal power the storage facility for large scale use can and should replace the old style ways.

Taxation can pay for development of new, self-sustaining technology infrastructure for the state. There is no reason why the oil and gas people should not pay income tax and contribute something to the state besides pollution and decades or centuries of clean-up costs for the public.