An excerpt from blog post “Rural Alaska Fuel Tanks: Fill ‘em Up!” - April 30th, 2009

Rob Rosenfeld:
It wasn’t long ago that the President of Venezuela offered support to rural Alaskan villages because the state and the federal government were providing minimal support.
I was in Bolivia last month and went to a village 9km from what is said to be the 2nd largest oil field in South America. There was zero electricity in the village and a great deal of evidence of enviromental damage. Not one light bulb was powered in the community.

Of course Alaska is an oil producing state. Has the state done enough to reduce the profits of the oil companies and afford more opportunity to the residents in the state? I would say NO WAY.

President Evo Morales of Bolivia changed the arrangement with the oil companies in Bolivia. When he was elected the oil companies received 82% of the royalties and the government received 18%. As soon as he was elected he changed this reality. Instead, the oil companies now receive 18% and the government receives 82% giving them the opportunity to assist the average Bolivian. Believe it or not all the oil companies stayed despite the fact their royalties dropped from 82% to 18%.

I believe that the State of Alaska has given the oil companies too easy of a deal, which has minimized the profits that can be dispersed to communities in need and to drive fuel costs down.

If the reality is going to change we need elected leaders that will truly negotiate the best arrangement for Alaskans and all Americans.