going public

And now for some actual climate news!
A governor's cabinet and sub-cabinets generally meet privately, but Gov. Palin's newish sub-cabinet on climate change is inviting the public to part of its Aug. 1 meeting. The morning session is not for public testimony, just invited speakers making presentations. A Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman said some municipal leaders, including Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, have expressed a desire to meet with the sub-cabinet, which consists of a bunch of commissioners and a University of Alaska representative.
Anyone wanting to listen in should contact the DEC at 465-5009.
The public notice of the meeting also provides a summary of the sub-cabinet's duties.

Governor Palin has formed a Sub-cabinet comprised of several Commissioners to develop a Climate Change Strategy for Alaska. The Strategy will be designed to improve the state’s scientific knowledge about actual and expected effects of climate change, develop appropriate measures and policies to prepare communities for the impacts of a changing climate and develop recommendations on Alaska’s participation in regional and national efforts to curb the causes of a warming climate.

Larry Hartig, commissioner of the DEC, said earlier this month the sub-cabinet had formed some sub-groups (sub-sub-cabinets?) to tasked with specific jobs, including researching options for alternative and renewable energy and working with state and federal agencies about the Alaska villages in need of relocation.
Palin hasn't actually signed the administrative order forming the sub-cabinet, a draft of which has been on her desk for a while.
See the calendar (over on the right) for other stuff going on.