This humanitarian crisis in the Yukon-Delta would not have happened if the people we pay to do that for ALL of us had done THEIR part last summer, last fall, before people had begun to exhaust their own resources.

These are citizens of Alaska, who no one charged with making sure they get the same shake the rest of us do even reached for a door, let alone knock on it to check on. ( I’m skipping right on by the dumb why-don’t-they-just-move-to-town deal for right now)
The few voices in the Legislature who attempted to deal with Rural power/fuel cost issues got lost in the feel good $1200 energy rebate thingy. AFN devoted much time at the annual convention trying to frame and present Rural issues .Leaders in govt like Mr Monegan warned of trouble ahead.

So- be sure to check on your neighbors.
It’s our job as human beings.
From our homes in our own neighborhoods,
to our state and federal capitals,
It is our job.

I hope it works…if not it’s a link to story about a 93 year old man that froze to death. i saw the title and my heart sank. then i read it wasn’t from one of the villages but another person hit in these hard times. how sad is this.

I post this not to take eyes off the villages but for us to remember our neighbors, and that maybe a knock on the door to make sure they are ok is worth the five minutes. OK I am getting of my soap box.

grewingk wrote:

And yes, we’re starting to use heatpumps in Alaska. And one place is generating electricity with geothermal. (Chena Hot Springs.)

The AVO and the geothermal turbine project at Chena were all developed with money that Senator Ted Stevens brought home. “Pork” to some of you. The Senator was working with a researcher at University Alaska Fairbanks to use naturally occurring methane gas produced by swamps and lakes to generate power. That concept could produce power for all of those villages out in the YK, with local powerplants run on methane.”

You are taking this volcano and earthquake thing so calmly…. Usually that is bad news.

Another great source of energy for warmth, straight from mother earth, called Heatpumps being used here in Germany. Dig a long tunnel into the earth and somehow tap the heat… Gotta read up on this.

Makes me nervous from over here that you are sitting so close to a volcano.
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It’s sweet of you to worry, but we’re accustomed to these sorts of things. All Alaskans with any common sense have Disaster Kits in their homes, along with plenty of bottled water and stuff. It’s not such a big deal if you’re prepared.

To keep an eye on Redoubt, you can follow the Alaska Volcano Observatory website. They keep it updated with real time info, photos, and (this is the important one), info on winds aloft. Volcanic ash plumes can interfere with air traffic — the ash can kill a jet engine that flies through a plume. Normally-aspirated planes (like Cessnas, Super Cubs, Twin Otters) can fly in an ashy sky — it’s not good for them, but it won’t stall the engines. We have 44 active volcanoes in Alaska. I can see one of them from my house. (Augustine.)

Anyway, here’s the AVO link: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/

And yes, we’re starting to use heatpumps in Alaska. And one place is generating electricity with geothermal. (Chena Hot Springs.)

The AVO and the geothermal turbine project at Chena were all developed with money that Senator Ted Stevens brought home. “Pork” to some of you. The Senator was working with a researcher at University Alaska Fairbanks to use naturally occurring methane gas produced by swamps and lakes to generate power. That concept could produce power for all of those villages out in the YK, with local powerplants run on methane.

I’m not awake yet. (I’m on deadline for an article for someone. Been up all night again.)

FWIW they wanted to get me a receipt, take address etc. I said for them to just take my phone number should they need it, and spend the money for villagers help instead of on staff, stamps etc. for a letter to me.

My credit card statement will have info on it should I ever need to contact them and I thought they had more important things to tend to now.

EatWildFish:
I vote for Alaska Disasta for the gov’s label from you.

womanwith sardinecan:
If everything in our country gets fixed you MUST come up with new laughs for us! Enjoy your posts!

I just have to say that I love this blog. What a great community of caring, thoughtful, and intelligent folks.
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I think you forgot “silly”. That’s what keeps me coming back…