Three governor candidates lay out rural energy and subsistence plans at Tanana Chiefs forum

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Treg Taylor and Dave Bronson laid out plans on rural energy costs, subsistence and salmon bycatch at a virtual Tanana Chiefs Conference forum Oct. 8. Republican Bernadette Wilson, the fourth candidate for governor, did not take part.

Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat and former state legislator from Sitka, pledged to protect Power Cost Equalization, which helps make electricity affordable in rural communities. "Any attempt to raid the billion-dollar PCE endowment, I would veto that," he said. He said he would not pursue or continue state litigation against the federal government that he said undermines subsistence.

Taylor, a Republican and former attorney general, said PCE is tied to energy costs on the Railbelt, which keep rising and must be brought under control. He said dual state and federal management of subsistence does not work and called for a constitutional amendment so the state can manage for rural priorities. "My policy is Alaska fish belong to Alaskans first," he said.

Bronson, a Republican and former Anchorage mayor, proposed roads along the river areas, such as Fairbanks to Galena, to cut transportation costs. Speaking about salmon declines upriver, he said, "I think we're on year 7 of no fishing."

On bycatch, Taylor and Bronson said they have taken no money from the trawl industry. Kreiss-Tomkins pointed to sign-on letters he wrote as a legislator, some joined by TCC, urging lower bycatch limits, and said he would appoint North Pacific Fishery Management Council members "who are going to lead on bycatch reduction." All three said rural voices belong on the bodies that make fish and game decisions.

House District 36 candidates spoke at the same forum. The general election is Nov. 3.