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Just as "Alyeska," the Aleut name for the Great Land morphed into "Alaska," I'm wondering if we can alter the world's perception of Alaska as an energy state.

Can the next 50 years of statehood be the era when Alaska becomes known for using its oil wealth to reposition itself as a world leader in the clean energy economy? Can we go from Big Oil to Big RED (Renewable Energy Developer)? Can we be the first state to reach the goal of having 50 percent of our electricity from renewable energy supplies by 2025? This is the very question posed by Governor Palin's recent action to establish this goal in the state's energy plan.

I think the answer is a resounding yes when you consider these facts:

• Thanks to hydroelectric development in Southeast and Southcentral, renewable energy already supplies 24 percent of the state's electricity need.

• Alaska has 40 percent of the nation's untapped hydropower - 256 sites with continuous power greater than 2500 kilowatts.

• The western and coastal portions of the state have world-class wind, rated "excellent" and "outstanding." Many existing, profitable wind farms in Europe are in areas rated only as "good."

• According to the Electric Power Research Institute, Alaska has 50 percent of the nation's tidal energy potential. The Icy Strait Cross Sound area in Southeast has four sites capable of generating a composite 2500 megawatts.

• Alaska also has four distinct geothermal resource regions, with three large-scale geothermal power projects now being proposed.

• Alaska has 75 percent of the nation's wave energy potential.

Looking beyond just potential and at actual projects currently being evaluated in the Railbelt area, one can find a path to 50 percent renewable by 2025.

According to the Tri-Borough Commission energy policy, the Railbelt currently uses about 5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. If all these projects - Lake Chackachamna hydro, Fire Island wind, Mt. Spurr geothermal, Eva Creek wind and Cook Inlet tidal - were pursued and completed, an additional 2.28 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity could be generated. This would be almost half of the current demand in the Railbelt.

Equally exciting is Alaska's potential to be seen as a world leader in pioneering clean energy technology. Thanks to the research and testing efforts at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska is now the go-to state for learning about generating power from low-temperature geothermal sources. We also have the newly established Alaska Center for Electricity and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, leading the way on testing and deploying instream hydro devices.

Furthermore, Alaska has the opportunity to be a lead dog in the commercialization of technologies like biomass gasification, tidal power, and energy storage. These are technologies that are less likely to be seriously considered for development in the Lower 48, where most communities are on a common grid.

Judging by the response to the newly established Renewable Energy Fund, we also have the entrepreneurial interest to match Alaska's wealth of renewable energy. The first round of grant funds generated 114 proposals that requested over $400 million to help launch $3 billion worth of projects. The second round generated another 115 proposals. To fuel this entrepreneurial energy, we need to honor the financial commitments to the Renewable Energy Fund as well as start a program to fund emerging technology.

Put it all together - a wealth of renewable resources, viable projects near population centers, state-of-the-art research at UAF, and the pioneering, can-do spirit of Alaskans - "Alaska" could become the "Great Land for the Clean Energy Economy."

I say "could," because proposed coal projects could derail Alaska from this clean energy path. And we can't get to this clean energy future overnight. But fortunately, Alaska is blessed with the perfect bridge fuel - natural gas.

No other state is positioned to transform and lead on energy like Alaska. To this end, we applaud Governor Palin for taking that vital first step by establishing the 50 percent goal as part of the state's energy plan.

• Kate Troll is executive director of Alaska Conservation Alliance and Alaska Conservation Voters. She lives in Douglas.