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With winter approaching, the lack of natural gas available for Southcentral Alaska is becoming an increasing concern. During times of extreme cold, brownouts are a real possibility for Kenai Peninsula Borough residents.

Because of this, steps need to be taken to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with these issues, Borough Mayor Dave Carey told the borough assembly Tuesday evening.

"The Kenai Peninsula Borough should be doing everything possible to promote the deliverance of natural gas to Kenai Peninsula residents, business and industry," Carey said about a long-term energy plan. "At the same time, we should be addressing issues of generation, conservation and consumption so that possible economic distress could be lessened."

Over the last 10 years, there has been a decline in oil production in Cook Inlet, Carey said.

"We have been witnessing the dismemberment of our heavy industry," he added. "We have seen many jobs lost and the burdens of financing government on all levels has shifted from petro-chemical taxes to property taxes and sales taxes on local residents and visitors."

Carey said the borough needs to have a better plan to deal with the current situation and become more proactive in advocating for natural gas delivery to borough residents.

"Government serves the people and economic development best when it provides options and incentives for them rather than regulations and additional taxation," he said.

The borough must promote education on alternative energy and options for its application, Carey said.

"We must focus on what the individual can do. It is the individual that is accountable for what government does and it is the individual that must decide how much taxation should be collected and spent in this strategy," Carey said.

"I believe the highest priority is to develop and promote an agenda for public discussion, education and action regarding energy," he said.

At the Sept. 15 assembly meeting, which will be held in Homer, Carey said he will be asking for support on four resolutions to start developing options for an alternative energy plan. Those resolutions will focus on supporting education on the energy star rebate program, exempting alternative energy systems from real estate property assessments, educating borough residents about federal and state alternative energy incentives and becoming a leader in promoting alternative energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Carey said he has directed his staff to take a look the borough's plan should brownouts occur this winter. Requests to the assembly will also be made on this topic.

"Neither most residents nor the borough is adequately prepared for possible sustained brownouts," Carey said.

Along with a need to have natural gas delivered to the peninsula, Carey said there is a need for vocational training for jobs and skills related to building a pipeline.

"I believe that focusing on the development and application of alternative energy is a most legitimate prospect to provide short term and long term economic benefit for residents of our borough," he said.

"Government is expected to provide a network of assistance and possible solutions on the international, national, state and local level," Carey said. "As a local government, the Kenai Peninsula Borough needs to think globally but act locally to protect life and quality of life within the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The Kenai Peninsula Borough government, residents and commercial enterprises must have increased education and opportunities for lessening our dependence on fossil fuels for energy."

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.