Legislation to double the Bulk Fuel Loan maximum for communities due to rising costs of fuel as the war in the Middle East continues has made its way to the state Senate.
That action came in the wake of the House voting 39-0 on May 13 in favor of HB 388.
The current price of a gallon of fuel at a gas station in Cordova is around $6.
President Donald Trump said recently in Washington D.C. that he’s not thinking about the public’s concerns about rising gas prices as he negotiates a deal to end the war with Iran.
“Not even a little bit,” Trump said when asked how motivated he is by public concerns over fuel prices. “I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, NA-Dillingham, noted that rural Alaska was hit particularly hard by rising fuel prices. Edgmon added this bill would give communities more flexibility to secure what fuel they need before winter and ensure that they can continue to heat their homes.
Rep. Robyn Niayuq Frier, D-Utquiagvik, noted that fuel supports home heating, electric service water and sewer operations and transportation in rural regions, where the cost of everything already exceeds similar costs in urban areas.
Edgmon and the House Majority said they are committed to addressing rising uncertainties related to fuel prices and the availability of said fuel.
In addition to including $17.5 million in heating assistance and other energy relief provisions in the state’s budgets, all 21 members of the House Majority Coalition this week sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation urging support for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), to help families statewide cover their fuel costs.
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