AK HJR45

Alaska Legislature urges Congress not to enact cap and trade legislation, citing negative impacts on Alaska's economy through job losses and increased costs for goods and services.

Resolution opposes S. 1733 (Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act) and H.R. 2454 (American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009) as unnecessary federal regulation that would hinder free market economy and increase business constraints.

Identifies Alaska's particular vulnerabilities: state receives more than 80 percent of unrestricted general fund revenue from oil and gas operations, produces approximately 13 percent of nation's oil supply, and has refineries uniquely vulnerable to increased cap and trade costs.

Questions reliability of climate data from the Climate Research Unit, NOAA-NCDC, and NASA, claiming recent fraudulent activities and evidence of cooling over the past decade render the 2007 IPCC Assessment Report 4 scientifically questionable as policy foundation.

Supports alternative measures that encourage states to develop their own renewable energy portfolio standards including hydroelectric generation and investments in technology to address emissions.