Energy advocates question Palin’s rejection of federal funds

Renewable energy advocates who have worked closely with Gov. Sarah Palin on energy programs say they are baffled by the governor's decision not to accept about $55 million in federal stimulus funds for energy.

A joint press release issued by Meera Kohler, CEO of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Chris Rose, with the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Kate Troll, with the Alaska Conservation Alliance, argued that any "strings" attached to the federal energy funds are relatively unimportant compared to the benefits of using the money.