Tom Steyer’s Connection To Alaska (Hint: It Isn’t Positive)

July 10, 2019

With Tuesday’s announcement that San Francisco-based hedge fund founder – and multi-billionaire – Tom Steyer has thrown his hat into the Presidential race, I started thinking about the damage this man would do to Alaska if he won.

Let’s start with his hatred for fossil fuels – and the millions of dollars he’s put behind candidates who share his extremist beliefs.  That should have every Alaskan who is directly or indirectly benefiting from our state’s responsible resource development rejecting a Steyer presidential run.

Along those same lines, Steyer’s hypocrisy regarding fossil fuels is laughable, because it was his investment in coal companies *in China* that helped propel him to his 1% status.  Does he truly think that investment in overseas mining is OK, but fighting mining and oil and gas development in America isn’t just a bit off-putting to Americans, who are benefiting from a resurgence in American energy dominance under the Trump administration?

Closer to home, with 85% or more of the State of Alaska’s general fund receivables (non-Permanent Fund investment-driven) coming from resource extraction, a Tom Steyer presidency would plunge us into disarray.  Where would Steyer see us replacing that revenue from?  Income taxes?  Not with tens of thousands of Alaskan jobs disappearing as a result of his war on industry. Maybe he can take some of his money and inv…well, we know that isn’t happening.

Steyer has been a strong supporter of ballot measures designed to harm industry.  From the failed Washington State carbon tax initiative from last year to helping fund the Stand for Salmon measure in our state in 2018, voters have seen Steyer money try to influence developmental policies.  Thankfully, most of his millions have been wasted, as voters have rejected his positions time after time.

Power The Future will continue to advocate for workers in the energy and resource development sectors in Alaska and elsewhere, and will continue to shine the light on people like Steyer, who work diligently to inflict their brand of eco-extremism on America.