SITKA, ALASKA
The state was counting on $60 million in federal funding for the first of its three Alaska Class Ferries, which are expected to cost at least $120 million each. But officials recently announced the money would require a detailed environmental review the state does not want to undergo.
“We started funding the ferry system without federal dollars. But the reality is when they start putting these restrictions on us, we’ll have to reconsider it. That’s what we’ll have to do,” he said.
Young talked about transportation, energy and politics during a recent stop in Sitka. The Republican incumbent, who is seeking re-election, spoke to the community’s Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, and later to reporters.
He urged state and local leaders to develop more hydroelectric plants in Southeast Alaska. But he opposed building a cross-border power line to ship electricity south.
“There will be a demand for power down in the Lower 48, in Washington, Oregon and California. The population is increasing but they’re not increasing their power source. And that means the manufacturing force could come to Alaska to use the cheaper power to develop their products,” he said.
Young said he supports all the dams, lake taps and electrical interties proposed around the region. But he told Sitka leaders their plans to expand a nearby facility should have the highest priority.
“I do believe that your Blue Lake site, because it is an existing dam, has a greater chance than some other new areas. And I’m quite optimistic we’ll be able to get some federal dollars for you because it does work,” he said.
Young railed against the federal bureaucracy, especially the regulations it creates. But he said it’s unfair to blame it all on the Obama administration or the current Congress.
“I’ll be right up front with you. This was George Bush’s motto, and Dick Cheney’s; they believed in that centralization. But the more centralized you have a government is the less effective it is. And the more government you have over the people. It isn’t good policy. The public is upset now with Congress and they should be, but they’re not targeting the real problem. They’re targeting the individual instead of the issue of the regulation through the agencies,” he said.
Young also spoke in favor of trails, and other infrastructure that supports increased physical activity. He told chamber members he was particularly unhappy with inactive youth.
“People, I want you to get moving. And I want our kids to move. I know this is not very popular, and for those in local government, don’t take me up on this. But I’d like to see rules passed by local school boards that nobody gets bused to school if they’re two miles from the schools,” he said.
Congressman Don Young faces Democrat Harry Crawford in the November 2nd general election.
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