Lt. Governor Treadwell Pushes for More Ice Breakers

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by Maggie Young

Story Created: Dec 1, 2011 at 5:30 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2011 at 5:30 PM AKDT

In Washington D.C. today, Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell testified about Alaska's need for more ice breakers.   

Alaska holds half of America's close, yet only has about 3 ice breakers, including 1 that is out of commission for now.

Many Alaska officials, including Treadwell, feel that 3 is not enough.

With the Arctic's rising popularity for drilling and exploration, other northern countries like Canada and Norway are picking up their ice breaker construction.

Russia is expected to build about 9 of them.

Treadwell said that right now, the United States is missing the boat on that.

He also feels that other U.S. states get the ice breaking capabilities they need, like the Great Lakes area. He wants Alaska to have that same treatment.

"If Nome were in the Great Lakes," Treadwell said. "And the lakes had iced up early, the coast guard has that capability of commerce."

Recently, Nome had issues with a gasoline delivery because it couldn't get through some ice.

Although the Coast Guard's only functioning ice breaker has arrived in Nome, the complications could lead to a rise in gas prices.

 

 

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