AKPIRG

Our Economic Justice & Housing team has had a busy few weeks! We've been out and about at the 2025 Alaska Housing Summit and YIMBYTown 2025 connecting with people who share in our vision for a better housing future for all Alaskans.

To learn more about this work, visit akpirg.org.

Alaska brewers turn beer into animal feed - Resource Rural In the shadow of Denali, a brewing company is showing how “spent grain” from the brewing process can be composted into a rich soil amendment. With support from the Environmental Quality Incentives Pro...

When public dollars work for the public we get lasting solutions -- from clean energy to local food systems. This federally-funded project at Denali Brewing in Talkeetna, AK shows why we must protect and expand federal investment in community-led innovation.

www.resourcerural.org/project/alas...

You have until August 31 to add or update your Pick.Click.Give. pledge at pfd.alaska.gov.

Please consider supporting AKPIRG through your PFD. It’s a quick and easy way to back the work we do—plus, you can support multiple nonprofits at once, including our coalition and community partners. 💛

When the Trans-Alaska Pipeline eventually shuts down, who’s on the hook for cleanup? Our new article in the Alaska Law Review looks at the legal and financial gaps that put Alaskans at risk.

Check the link in our bio for the full article or our two-page summary for a quick overview.

Governor Dunleavy's veto of SB 39 is a failure to protect Alaskans from predatory lending.

📞 Call your legislators and urge them to override the veto of SB 39. You can find a directory of their phone numbers at the link in our bio!

New report shows just how extreme Alaska’s energy burden is - some rural and low-income households spend 20–50% of their income just to keep the heat and lights on.

From @nativemvmnt.bsky.social, @inletkeeper.bsky.social, AKPIRG & UW CEHE.

www.akpirg.org/s/ENERGY-BUR...

AKPIRG’s Energy Lead Natalie Kiley-Bergen joins the Local Energy Rules podcast to talk about what’s changing, what’s possible, and why community solar could be a game-changer for Alaska’s energy future. 🌞

🎧 Listen to the full podcast here: open.spotify.com/episode/6jHc...

Alaska Legislature votes to limit high interest rates and fees for payday loan lenders | Alaska Beacon On the last day of Alaska’s legislative session, the House passed a bill to curb interest rates and fees for payday loans of $25,000 or less.

Big win for Alaska consumers, service members, & seniors: AK legislature limits high payday loan interest rates & fees. Great work by @forrestdunbarak.bsky.social & @akpirg.bsky.social to build bipartisan support. Now, will Republican Gov. Dunleavy sign it into law? alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/27/a...

In Alaska’s remote communities, dependence on diesel fuel for electricity is not only expensive but also poses serious environmental and public health risks. The Village of Kotlik is taking bold steps to change that.

Watch the full video: youtu.be/FFEQlEj9x7E

I appreciate that as @kylehopkinsak.bsky.social & @propublica.org were working on this article, advocates from @akpirg.bsky.social & Alaska Children's Trust & policymakers Sen. @forrestdunbarak.bsky.social & Rep. Ted Eisheid were working to pass a bill cracking down on predatory loans in AK.

Huge s/o to @akpirg.bsky.social for their years working to stop predatory payday loans in Alaska

Payday lending reform has PASSED in the Alaska State Legislature!

Payday lenders in Alaska charge between 194% and 521% annual percentage rate on loans under $500. This new law puts an end to that predatory system.

To read the full press release, visit akpirg.org/press

🚨 Big news this week at AKPIRG! 🚨 We’re so excited to welcome Julia Hnilicka, our new Executive Director!

We are so grateful to have Julia leading AKPIRG’s team. Join us in welcoming her to Team AKPIRG!👏 To read Julia's full bio, visit akpirg.org/team.

#AKPIRG #Leadership

Join our team! The Housing Organizer (Lingít Aaní/Juneau) will work on the Economic Justice Team to address Juneau’s housing shortage through local civic engagement and community education. Applicants must be based in Juneau. To see the full job description, visit check the link in our bio!

Chugach Electric Association (CEA) just launched the state’s first-ever community solar project. After years of advocacy to make community solar possible under Alaska state law, it’s incredible to see the first project up and running.

Read more:
www.chugachelectric.com/energy-solut...

Last week, AKPIRG energy policy experts traveled to Washington DC to advocate for continued federal funding for Alaskan energy projects! ✈️

June Okada and Natalie Kiley-Bergen flew down to DC with four Alaskan leaders whose communities have been impacted by recent federal funding changes.

Today's the day Anchorage—it's Election Day! Have you submitted your municipal ballot yet? Vote today by 8pm. 🗳️☑️

Check muni.org for voting center and secure drop box locations and hours.

#AnchorageVotes #ElectionDay #GOTV

Corporations are profiting off of Alaskan resources without paying taxes. AKPIRG's Regulatory Lead, Catherine Rocchi, writes about this issue in an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News.

www.adn.com/opinions/202...

The Alaska Energy Transparency Project (AETP) has a new newsletter on Substack!

The AETP newsletter provides a roundup of recent news about the electric sector in Alaska and will keep you up-to-date and informed about all things energy in our state.

Subscribe at:
akenergytransparency.substack.com

Last week, the AKPIRG team traveled to our state capital of Juneau on Lingít Aaní to meet with legislators for our annual Legislative Fly-in! ✈️

Join Claire Estelle Lubke, Economic Justice Lead at AKPIRG, for a little tour of the Alaska State Capitol building.

Over $1B in federal energy & transmission funds are at risk, threatening Alaska’s future. Yesterday, we co-hosted a press conference to highlight these impacts, & we’re heading to DC soon to advocate for our state. Learn more below:
#Alaska #EnergySecurity #ResilientCommunities #akgov

Hey Anchorage — it’s time to get out and vote once again!👋🗳️
Keep your eyes out for your ballot in the mail, and make sure to spread the word to your friends and family to get out and vote! 👀

Click the link in our bio to check your voting registration status and find your polling place. 📲

AKPIRG is speaking to lawmakers this week about the importance of the #CFPB and its mission to #ProtectConsumers. Who can we count on to stand up and #DefendCFPB?

🚨 URGENT: 🚨 Help Alaskans escape the payday loan debt trap! AKPIRG’s Rapid Response Community Fund is raising $25K for the Payday Jubilee—wiping out predatory loans + fighting for policy reform. Donate now to support direct relief! 👉 akpirg.org/rapid-response-community-fund

If you, a friend, or family member has ever been helped by the CFPB, Americans for Financial Reform is collecting stories like yours to show why the CFPB is so important.

Share your story here: actionnetwork.org/surveys/cfpb...

🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 Sign on to our petition to SAVE THE CFPB: bit.ly/SaveTheCFPB

We need our federal delegation to stand up on behalf of all Alaskan consumers and use every tool available to restore CFPB operations to their full capacity.
Sign on, and share with your community: bit.ly/SaveTheCFPB 🖊❗

Join AKPIRG as the new Executive Director! Lead a dynamic team, driving impactful advocacy and community outreach. Apply now to shape Alaska's future by sending resume and cover letter to info@nokomisstrategies.co. Applicant review begins March 5th. Learn more: akpirg.org/careers #hiring #careers