Settled by pioneers and people who proclaimed "Manifest Destiny," those discriminatory days are over. As we move forward, we will continue to recognize the people who have been in this land first and respect the knowledge they bring to the table. As we enter a new era, we must manifest our destiny as the state of Alaska to be the pioneers of long-lasting, sustainable energy.

Alaska is characterized as an oil and gas state. But what do we do when those finite sources run out? It's speculated that Alaska's oil and gas resources in Cook Inlet will diminish in 50 years, and the North Slope will diminish in 100 years. Although those are a lot of years, that is still a finite number. We should work towards investing in projects now that will last forever and keep the state of Alaska alive for years to come.