Alaska Public Interest Research Group » Our Issues

Consumer Protection

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:23:04 +0000

Alaska PIRG has been invested in protecting consumers for more than 35 years. From cracking down on Payday Loans to protecting against price gouging and reporting on unsafe products, AKPIRG continues to stand up against powerful interests on behalf of ordinary citizens.

Our product safety net isn’t up to the job of protecting us from dangerous product. For one, America is facing a hyper-competitive, globalized marketplace, with enormous pressure to cut costs—and cut corners. And at the very moment that both corporate CEOs and top government officials should be demanding greater vigilance, we’ve seen regulations weakened or repealed and funding for watchdog agencies slashed. Just 20 years ago, there were twice as many staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the body charged with ensuring the safety of consumer goods. Funding at that agency is now at an all-time low. And the CPSC, along with other agencies led by administration appointees, is too willing to let companies call the shots.

AKPIRG, along with U.S. PIRG and in cooperation with other states continues to monitor important consumer issues across the state. We strive to stand up for Alaskan citizens to provide a voice against businesses and corporations focused more on the bottom line than on fairness within the marketplace.

Renewable Energy

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:00:46 +0000

Despite being an energy producing state, fuel and energy prices in Alaska continue to rise. Alaskans will continue to pay higher prices for energy as long as the bulk of our utility costs are tied to the volatile prices of fossil fuels. But we can change. Alaska has more potential for true energy independence through renewable energy than any other state in the union.

Since organizing the first conference on renewable energy in Alaska in the 1970’s, AKPIRG has been dedicated to researching and advocating for an independent energy policy in Alaska. Our state has more potential for renewable energy than anywhere in the U.S. including vast potential for tidal, wind and geothermal projects.

In 2007 AKPIRG helped secure a $50 million Renewable Energy Fund to support projects across the state, and we continue to seek out solutions to one of the most important issues of this generation.

Voting & Democracy

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:06:00 +0000

Nothing is more critical to the success of our Democracy than free and fair elections. A citizen’s right to cast a ballot free from discrimination, prejudice, partisanship and intimidation is a right that should be guarded without compromise.

Money plays far too great a role in every level of American elections. Large contributions from a few groups and individuals unduly influence who wins elections and reduce the role of ordinary voters in our democracy.

The Alaska Public Interest Research Group has worked for years to promote reforms that ensure our integrity in our elections, and within our government. From campaign finance reform to stricter lobbying regulations, AKPIRG has fought on behalf of ordinary citizens against powerful interests and won.

Some of our successes include the campaign to get Big Money Out of Alaska Politics, rolling back the unpopular laws that allowed high dollar contributions in Alaska elections, and a successful campaign to save the Alaska Public Offices Commission from being deactivated by the Murkowski administration.

AKPIRG is committed to fighting for fair elections and ethical government from the municipal level to the U.S. presidency.