Jim Wilson/The New York Times

The Alaska legislature has overridden former Gov. Sarah Palin’s veto of stimulus money for energy efficiency.

Ms. Palin had turned down the $28 million in financing this spring; it was the only portion of Alaska’s stimulus package allotment that she rejected. At the time, she cited concern that stipulations attached to the funds would obligate Alaska to enact more stringent building codes.

A recent letter from the Department of Energy to an Alaskan legislative aide clarified that Alaska did not need to enact stricter statewide building codes. Rather, the state must offer assurances that it will “encourage, promote and assist” municipalities that adopt their own energy-efficiency codes. The legislative vote on Monday was 45-14 in favor of the override.



Before the vote, in a message on her Facebook page, Ms. Palin wrote of her continuing concern about the conditions attached to the energy funds:

As Governor, I did my utmost to warn our legislators that accepting stimulus funds will further tie Alaska to the federal government and chip away at Alaska’s right to chart its own course. Enforcing the federal building code requirements, which Governor Parnell and future governors will be forced to adopt in order to accept these energy funds, will eventually cost the state more than it receives. There are clear ropes attached, and Alaskans will soon find themselves tied down by codes which will dictate how we build and renovate homes and businesses. The state has hundreds of millions of dollars already budgeted for conservation, weatherization and renewable energy development. Legislators don’t need to play politics as usual and accept these funds and the ropes that come with them.

Advocates of energy efficiency, however, welcomed the vote.

“It shows Alaska is not going to take a backseat on energy issues and underscores the growing bipartisan commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy in Alaska, the state with coldest climate and some of the highest energy prices in the nation,” said Chris Rose, the executive director of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, in an e-mail message to Green Inc.