Securing a Sustainable Arctic Energy Future

Dr. Geraldine Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Energy and Shalanda Baker, Deputy Director for Energy Justice at the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity started the discussion on how to ensure energy and environmental justice in the Arctic at the Jan. 26, 2022 virtual event. Speakers from Alaska universities, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, Chaninik Wind Group, and Kongiganak, Alaska also leant their voices on panel discussions relating to challenges and opportunities of equitably advancing initiatives in the region, including:

• The role of emerging technology to advance energy justice.
• The greatest challenges and opportunities of energy transition in the Arctic—pathways to sustainable energy systems that address requirements for power, heat, and mobility.
• What the federal government can do to promote tech transfer and commercialization.

Agenda and Speakers

If you missed our virtual event, you’ll find recordings of the webinar below. 

Kickoff: Dr. Matt Heavner, Senior Advisor, Arctic Energy Office

Opening Remarks: Dr. Geraldine Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Energy
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Welcome Video: Shalanda Baker, Deputy Director for Energy Justice at Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
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Panel and Q&A on Energy Justice in the Arctic: Challenges and Opportunities
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Moderator: David Conrad, Deputy Director, Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
Panelists include: 

• Hallie Bissett, Executive Director, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association
• Dr. Molly Grear, Ocean Engineer & Marine Biologist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 
• Dr. James Kendall, Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Alaska Regional Office
• Dr. Cheryl Rosa, Deputy Director, US Arctic Research Commission
• Sonny Adams, Director of Alternative Energy, NANA Regional Corp

Panel on The Role of Emerging Technology for Arctic Energy Justice
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Moderator: Dr. Matt Heavner, Senior Advisor, Arctic Energy Office

• Abraham Ellis, Senior Manager, Renewable Energy Technologies, Sandia National Labs
• Robbin Garber-Slaght, Engineer, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Roderick Phillip, Manager, Puvurnaq Power 
• Isaac Vanderburg, CEO, Launch Alaska

Energy Justice Open Discussion: Givey Kochanowski, Senior Advisor, Arctic Energy Office
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Closing Remarks: George Roe, Director, Arctic Energy Office
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