Maryland's Low Ratings Result of Pro-Environmental Legislature
AK Releases 2011 Common Agenda Priorities
AK Releases 2011 Common Agenda Priorities
We are pleased to announce the selection of our Common Agenda Priorities for 2011! At our Annual General Meeting last week, member groups proposed and voted on issues that are imporatnt to conservation groups throughout Alaska to be the 2011 Common Agenda Priorities. The priorities serve to unite our member groups and to focus our work for the upcoming year.
For 2011, our member groups chose:
- Coastal Zone Management: The current version of Alaska’s Coastal Zone Management Program will sunset in 2011 necessitating action by legislators within the next year. This presents an opportunity for us to work with legislators and local communities to ensure a coastal zone management program that will provide stewardship for Alaska’s rich and diverse coastal resources to ensure a healthy and vibrant Alaskan coast that efficiently sustains long-term economic and environmental productivity.
- Toxics Exposure Phase-Out: This priority will specifically focus on the phase out of the manufacture and sale of electronic products, furniture, textiles and mattresses containing dangerous toxics known as PBDEs (polybrominated dephenyl ethers) in favor of safe alternatives. PBDEs and other persistent toxics are having a profound effect on the environment and human health, particularly in Alaska and the Arctic.
- Energy Efficiency: The Energy Efficiency priority will focus on expanding existing efficiency programs to include businesses, churches and other Alaskans that are excluded from current programs. This priority will help eliminate waste and increase efficiency which adds up to cost savings for Alaskans.
“We are excited about the priorities that were chosen by our member groups last week. These are priorities that Alaskans really care about. We are also excited about the opportunity to support and partner with local communities, businesses and elected officials as we work on these critical Alaskan issues.” says Caitlin Higgins, Executive Director of Alaska Conservation Alliance.
Stay tuned to our website for more information, as it unfolds, surrounding the implementation and successes of these priorities.
