What's New

Date:
March 12
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Energy Policy Study Group

Creating a Railbelt Reliability Council:

Reducing Cost, Increasing Efficiency

Friday, March 12

The Railbelt Reliability Council was created as a result of state legislation (SB123)The RRC provides a forum and structure for the six interconnected Railbelt utilities, along with six non-utility stakeholders, to work together to address Railbelt-wide regional electric system issues in order to ensure grid resilience and reduce long term costs.

Speakers:

Julie Estey, MEA

Chris Rose, REAP

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.   How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
Wednesday, March 3
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Alaska Seafood:
Markets, Players, Issues

Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Noon – 1:00 pm

The seafood industry is a major component of the Alaska economy.* This program features an overview of the economics of Alaska Seafood, a look at the harvesting and processing sectors, and discussion of industry status and and outlook for 2021. Speakers have also been asked to identify any issues or policies the industry may seek or anticipate in light of a new administration and current circumstances. 

Speakers:

  • Jeremey Woodrow, executive director – Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
  • Frances Leach, executive director – United Fishermen Alaska 
  • Chris Barrows, executive director – Pacific Seafood Processors Association
  • Stephanie Madsen, executive director – At Sea Processors Association

Seafood Industry – An Economic Snapshot:**

  • The seafood industry contributed $5.6 billion in economic output to Alaska’s economy in 2017/2018, including harvesting, processing, and support sectors.
  • About 58,700 workers were directly employed by Alaska’s seafood industry, earning $1.7 billion in wages annually.
  • There were 29,400 skippers, active permit owners and crew who fished in Alaska, of which 16,319 (56%) were Alaska residents.
**Laine Welch – Fish Factor in Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2020
Date:
Wednesday, February 26
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Energy Policy Study Group

Innovative Energy Solutions for Alaska

Friday, February 26

noon-1pm

Online

Gwen Holdmann, Director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, will discuss the center’s efforts to bring cost effective energy solutions to rural Alaska.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) is a statewide, university-led, applied research program based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. ACEP excels at being responsive to immediate and long term needs of residents, industries and agencies and focuses on research related to community and industry-scale power generation, transmission, heating, and transportation fuels. ACEP prioritizes its work on areas where Alaska has specific needs or where Alaska has a strategic advantage due to resource availability, unique circumstances, or location.

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.  

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
Wednesday, February 24
Time:
Noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Commonwealth North Forum

State of the University

A Report from UA President Pat Pitney

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Noon-1pm

Online

Speaker:

  • Pat Pitney, Interim President of the University of Alaska Statewide.

This program is supported in part by the University of Alaska Foundation

The program is free of charge, but please register to obtain your login details.

Date:
February 2
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Review of Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Possible Impacts on Long-Range State Budgets

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

8am-9am

Online OMB Director, Neil Steininger and Legislative Office Director, Miles Baker will join the Fiscal Policy Study Group to discuss Governor Dunleavy’s proposed fiscal-related legislation and the impact of that legislation on long-term budgeting for the State of Alaska.

Reference Materials: A review of the following materials is recommended:

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.   How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
February 3, 2021
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Commonwealth North Forum

Messages from Maine:
Lessons Learned in Ranked Choice Voting

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Noon-1pm

Online

This program has sold out.

Video of the program will be available at a later date.

During the November 2020 general election, Alaska voters approved Ballot Measure Two. The effect of that measure will significantly change how elections are funded as well as how elections are administered. 

Maine implemented ranked choice voting in June 2018 following a citizens’ initiative in 2016. What can Alaska learn from Maine’s experience? How have Maine voters adapted to RCV? What lessons can Mainers provide Alaska as we consider how RCV will alter our elections?

Speakers:

Matthew Dunlap, former Maine Secretary of State – confirmed

Kyle Bailey, Maine State Representative – District 27 – confirmed

Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer, State of Alaska – confirmed

Gail Fenumiai, Director – Alaska Division of Elections – confirmed

The program is free to members, $10 for non-members, and $5 for students.

How to Zoom

You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
January 20th
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

Commonwealth North Forum

The Military and Coast Guard in Alaska:
Measuring the Impact, Strengthening the Connections

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Noon-1pm

Online

The military and Coast Guard have long played an important role in Alaska’s economy and civil society. This program will feature findings from recent research by the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development as part of the Alaska Defense Industry Resilience Initiative – an ongoing assessment of the impacts and connections between the Alaska economy and the military and Coast Guard. We’ll also hear from the commanders of the Alaska Command – the unified command of military operations in and around Alaska as well as District 17 of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Speakers:

  • Nolan Klouda, Executive Director – UA Center for Economic Development
  • Lt. General David Krumm – ALCOM – Alaska Command
  • Rear Admiral Matthew Bell – District 17 Commander U.S. Coast Guard

How to Zoom
You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
January 15, 2021
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Fiscal Policy Study Group

Work Session

Friday, January 15

8am-9am

Online

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Senator Natasha von Imhof will be rescheduled to another date as soon as possible. On Friday, we will have a work session to discuss future potential study topics and guest speakers for the Fiscal Policy Study Group.

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

Date:
January 13, 2021
Time:
noon-1pm AKST
Location:
Online

Arctic Policy Study Group

Premier Caroline Cochrane

Northwest Territories Canada

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Noon – 1:00 p.m. AKST

Online

Commonwealth North is pleased to host the honorable Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories, Canada. In addition to her role as premier, Ms. Cochrane serves as Minister of Executive & Indigenous Affairs, Minister Responsible for the COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat, and Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. 

Premier Cochrane will address natural resource development policies and meaningful engagement of indigenous peoples in economic self-determination and Arctic policy; opportunities for Alaska-NWT cooperation on energy, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure; and fostering communication and cooperation between Alaska and the Northwest Territories on Arctic policy and international NGOs.

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.      

Date:
January 8, 2021
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Fiscal Policy Study Group

State Revenue Briefing

Friday, January 8, 2021

8am-9am

Online

Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney with the Alaska Department of Revenue will join Commonwealth North’s Fiscal Policy Study Group for a briefing on the new revenue forecast, including a review of what’s changed since the spring forecast.

The program is free of charge but please register to receive login details.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.