We are at a critical juncture in Alaska's renewable energy and energy efficiency future.

In the next few weeks, the Alaska Legislature and Alaska's two U.S. senators have the opportunity to support proposals that will significantly increase Alaska renewable energy production and our energy efficiency capacity.

Is this something Alaskans want? Yes. In a statewide poll by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, 91 percent of respondents stated that they support developing more sources of renewable energy -- like wind and solar power -- for use in Alaska.

Who thought 91 percent of Alaskans agreed on anything? Elected officials, take note.

There are two vital bills before the Legislature that deserve to be passed before April 13, the last day of the session.

Establishing an essential Renewable Energy Fund for Alaska, HB 152 overwhelmingly passed the state House last year and now requires approval by the Senate.

It also needs funding of at least $250 million, an amount that is supported by Gov. Sarah Palin and the public, as reflected in the large number of votes this option received in the governor's online surplus poll.

SB 289 increases funding for home weatherization and energy efficiency. When addressing the Legislature recently, Sen. Lisa Murkowski highly praised this legislation. This bill represents the quickest and most beneficial way to address the rising cost of energy.

Both pieces of state legislation are sound investments in our clean, low-cost, sustainable energy future. They will help our pocketbooks, our environment and our Alaska way of life.

Meanwhile, several weeks ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a crucial bill to extend renewable energy production tax credits and energy efficiency credits. Unless extended, these important tax incentives will expire at the end of this year.

The ball is in the Senate's court.

The last time this issue came before the Senate in February, it failed by one vote, receiving only 59 votes. A new bill will be before the Senate in the next few weeks. It is vital that Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Ted Stevens know how important this is to Alaskans and vote for it.

Do we have meaningful renewable energy potential that will benefit from all this legislation? Yes indeed.

Alaska has geothermal resources in four large regions. Currently, Chena Hot Springs Resort is successfully generating geothermal power with a low-temperature (165 degrees) geothermal resource, displacing 150,000 gallons of diesel per year. Three additional large-scale geothermal electric power generation projects have been proposed, including Mount Spurr.

With more than 34,000 miles of coastline -- more than the rest of the nation -- Alaska has exceptional ocean power potential.

For example, a study by the Electric Power Research Institute concluded that approximately 17 megawatts of power could be generated using tidal power at Cairn Point on Knik Arm. Recently, eight preliminary tidal energy permits have been issued.

Wave power potential in Southeast Alaska is estimated at 1,250 terawatt hours per year, about 300 times the amount of electricity Alaskans use each year.

And there is even a role for solar power in our state. As noted in the Renewable Energy Atlas of Alaska, produced by the Alaska Energy Authority, "For off-grid cabin owners, remote government installations and other places where a relatively small amount of electricity is needed and proven generation options are limited, solar photovoltaics remain an excellent choice."

Furthermore, Alaska has extensive wind potential, with Class 4 (good), Class 5 (Excellent), Class 6 (Outstanding) and Class 7 (superb) wind resources throughout the state. Wind projects in Kotzebue, St. Paul Island, Toksook Bay and Kasigluk are demonstrably successful, and projects at Fire Island, Eva Creek, Kodiak, Sand Point, Nikolski, Hooper Bay, Chevak, Gambell and Savoonga are under review or planned.

The time for action is now. Supporting renewable energy is a win-win-win investment of our state surplus and a win-win-win vote by our elected officials.

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