Pauline Hofseth

As financial turmoil goes global, oil prices begin to fall. Oil recently fell below $90 a barrel. We haven't seen oil prices this cheap in over eight months. Hopefully, those unheard of oil prices have come to an abrupt halt.

Alaska oil prices are expected to see $83.04 a barrel by the end of the week. The prices per barrel in Alaska have been on a roller coaster for the past two weeks, closing low at $89.65 and high at $118.42. Oil prices have fallen 40% since July when its peak was at $147.27 a barrel.

In the US, as crude prices continue to drop, so will pump prices. The national average per gallon of gas is currently $3.50 according to AAA. In July, everyone saw all time highs of $4.11 for the national average. Alaska saw average prices of $4.22, while Anchorage was $4. If crude prices continue to fall, gas could also slide below $3 a gallon by next month. WOW!

Almost everyone in the world is now watching to see what will happen with oil and gas prices. Many things could go wrong, but for the moment, it's great to see lower gas prices again.

If you want to apply for a rebate from the AHFC, it looks like patience will need to be a virtue that you will have to cultivate.

A few weeks ago in my blog( Anchorage Sponsors Energy Efficiency!), I mentioned that the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is offering rebates to homeowners who opt to make their homes more energy efficient.

Apparently, there are many in Anchorage, as well as the rest of the state, who believe in living green and receiving the additional benefit of a rebate from the AHFC.

So, what's the problem with that? Before a homeowner can qualify, the home must be rated by a professional home energy rater. So many homeowners have called in to get information about the rebate program or to place their name on the list that the AHFC cannot process all the calls.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is working to consolidate and streamline the process. AHFC says it is working as fast as it can to make it easier for homeowners to get an appointment with a home energy rater.

Next week, they will begin the task of streamlining by consolidating the first-come, first-served calls to a central processing database. Instead of each individual energy rater receiving a call and making their own appointments, the centralized database will place the calls (in order that they are received) and assign the caller to an energy rater.

This will help reduce the backlog and, hopefully, speed up the process of applying for the rebates. But, with the overwhelming response to the program, it looks like patience will be a virtue you will need to cultivate in the mean time.

Related Websites:
The Anchorage Department of Neighborhoods (Anchorage energy grant information)
The Alaska Building Sciences Network (Anchorage, Alaska)
Alaska homeowner energy audits and green living information (ABSN)

Alaska's Iditarod is considered by many to be the toughest race in the world in which Mushers face the challenge of fortible terrain and the forces of Mother Nature.

The acclaimed Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch has put the Alaskan crab industry "on the map" with it's popularity. Discovery Channel is hoping that the world renowned Iditarod will be just as intriguing to viewers.

The Iditarod will be the focus of a new mini-series on the Discovery Channel. The series will begin on October 14 (Tuesday, October 14th at 10 PM ET/PT) and will feature six hour-long shows filmed during the race in March. The series will feature eight of the participating mushing teams: Lance Mackey, Rick Holt and Darin Nelson, DeeDee Jonrowe, Bruce Linton, Jeff King, Martin Buser and Rohn Buser.

Rich Holt, Darin Nelson and Rohn Buser are all rookies to the Iditarod. Lance Mackey is the defending champion. Martin Buser and Jeff King have both won the race four times in the past. DeeDee has participated in 26 races and is a breast cancer survivor. Bruce Linton is a diabetic that hopes others with his disease will find his participation in the race as a challenge to achieve their own dreams.

The filming crew had almost as tough a time filming the grueling race as did the teams racing. The Iditarod covers over a thousand miles of rough terrain and challenging weather conditions.

To truly appreciate the difficulty of the race and the grit of those who participate, be sure to watch this new series.

Discovery Iditarod trailer

The Official Site of the Iditarod®

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race - Wikipedia

Iditarod: Race Across Alaska Home

2008 Iditarod sled dog race | adn.com

Let's get moving and join in the formation of a regional transit system.

To build a regional transit system that is workable and deemed valuable by the future commuters of that system, your input is needed. Your involvement and advice is being solicited. A joint agreement has been signed by Mayor Mark Begich and Mat-Su Mayor Curt Menard to create a Regional Transit Authority to serve the 14,000+ commuters in the Anchorage and Mat-Su corridor.

Mass transit is a hot-topic throughout the nation, especially with the spike in gas prices everyone has seen this year. Mass transit is more than just a topic here in Anchorage, it is a real and present need. Currently the People Mover transit system and the Share-a-Van program are operating at full capacity. Our park-and-ride lots are overflowing. There is a long waiting list of willing and able commuters who can't get a ride because our current mass transit resources are maxed.

Who knows better how the current transit system can be improved than those who use it? Who better to advise what is needed than those on the current waiting lists (over 700 riders are waiting to participate in the Share-a-Van program)? Who better than those who do not have convenient access to existing transportation resources? For those of you who want to see an improved transit system and the development of an integrated regional system, take a moment of your time to take this survey.

The mayors are asking that you complete the "Commuter Survey" on the city's home page. I will make it even easier for you. I have placed the link for the Commuter Survey below. Please take the time to fill it out.

Commuter Survey

People Mover

We do things a little differently here in Anchorage, including our focus on energy efficiency. For the Anchorage Municipality, September is Energy Efficiency Month.

In the lower 48, the Federal Energy Management Program highlights energy efficiency in the month of October.

Why wait another month? Join the folks here in Anchorage by taking stock of your energy usage to see what you can do to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Winter will soon be here and our consumption of energy will increase. Fall is the time to take stock and make changes.

Weatherize now and you will be more comfortable this winter while saving money. That should be a good incentive. Many states, counties, cities and energy companies are offering incentives to homeowners which will save you even more than just a reduction in your monthly energy bill. You may qualify for a grant from The Anchorage Department of Neighborhoods depending on your income.

Alaska is one of the states offering an incentive to property owners. You may even qualify for other home improvements as well. Alaska offers a no-income qualifying Home Energy Rebate to property owners who make energy efficient improvements through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

The Alaska Building Sciences Network, located here in Anchorage, is a great resource for the best practice of energy usage. Their website offers homeowners energy audits, green living information and more.

Get on the bus with Anchorage's People Mover transit system. With the high price of gas many have begun to look at public transportation as an alternative for commuting to work. Many cities including Anchorage are now offering better people moving systems as well as car pool information. The public transportation is a great alternative and I would like to suggest that you look at your local bus schedule as an alternative means for visiting local attractions as well.

You know the old saying "practice what you preach"? Well, Anchorage does that. The Municipality of Anchorage is working to reduce the city's energy usage and working to a more green living future. This will not only benefit our planet but will save taxpayers millions of dollars.

Anchorage facility managers are working towards energy efficiency in their individual departments. City Hall employees have already earned a GreenStar certification for their efforts. The Performing Arts Center did such a great job at reducing their energy usage that the power company thought the meter was broken.

Just last month a policy requiring new green public building standards was unanimously adopted by the Anchorage Assembly. The adopted policy is known as "LEED". LEED standards will apply to public buildings of 5,000+ square feet; the new policy also offers private construction incentives adopt LEED standards.

Now look up at the lights. You will soon see new streetlights throughout the city. When you see them you can smile because they are saving you money ($360,000 a year). Old streetlight bulbs are being replaced by new LED bulbs. Replacement will begin in October.

True energy efficiency may not be reached for many years. But, if each of us will do our small part, we can maximize what we have today.