Bronze Medal Winner in the Honors Division with a Score of 875

Prompt: Discuss the role of Alaska’s government and its people in intelligently managing the variety of energy resources discussed in Dr. Alan Schriesheim’s “Power to Grow – An Expanding World Considers Its Energy Options”. Focus on those energy resources that are readily available in Alaska.

Power to Grow – How Alaska Can Save Both its Present and Future

Energy is both ubiquitous and external. Every object, every motion holds energy. It is strange to realize that something so infinitely widespread has caused so many conflicts; from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait to OPEC’s oil embargo, our modern history has its roots just as much in crude as it does in ideals.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy said, “It is our task in our time and in our generation to hand down to those who come after us as was handed down be those who went before: the natural wealth and beauty which is ours”. He was right, but he left one important detail out: to preserve our environment is our task for all time, and for every generation.

In Dr. Schriesheim’s essay, he discussed how several different energy policies might function on a national level. In my essay, I want to address what part certain key power sources have in Alaska’s future: fossil fuels, nuclear energy, solar power, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams.

The first fuel is the one with its hand wrapped around Alaska’s heart. Fossil fuels have given us wealth and success, but at what price? Consider this: if Alaska wished to halt oil exports, or secede from the Union, or in some way disrupt the flow of black gold, what would be the response? The rest of the United States would use any and all means (diplomatic, economic, military, to name a few) to open the floodgate again. Our gains have been tremendous; just ask anyone if they like the permanent fund or the oil industry job opportunities. They just come at a price.

Most experts, including Dr. Schriesheim, agree that fossil fuels should be avoided wherever possible. However, in his essay, “Power to Grow”, Dr Schriesheim supports a power source popularly thought of as worse than fossil fuels: nuclear power. He quotes several amazing studies done on the French nuclear power system, finding incredible reductions in pollution and negligible environmental hazards. Be this as it may, nuclear power simply isn’t an option for decentralized rural Alaska.

However, the next power source is arguably the most decentralized. Solar power can be obtained anywhere on Earth and is ultimately the original source of most of our power. Despite this, two factors keep it from being effective on a large scale in Alaska: Solar power is incredibly expensive and notoriously unreliable in places of poor weather (i.e., most of Alaska).

The final two power sources, I believe, are the key to Alaskan energy generation. Wind and hydropower are tested, proven technologies perfect for Alaska’s needs. Many people already use home‑based wind generators in Alaska and the Goat Lake and Otter Creek hydro projects are supplying most of the power to

Skagway and Haines. There are some disadvantages to each, but together they overcome those flaws. A quick list:

Wind turbines’ effects on the environment are exaggerated. Oil spills kill 100 times as many birds annually than wind turbines do. Modern hydro plants can be built without affecting salmon habitat. The flywheel, a mechanical turbine, is wound by wind turbines, storing energy in times of low wind.

In summary, even though we are dependent on fossil fuels, we can alleviate their impact by a combined usage of hydro and wind power. As JFK said, it is our responsibility to preserve our environment, and in Alaska the environment is not just surroundings; it is our dreams, hearts, and livelihood.