Statewide Energy Omnibus Bills

The 2009 - 2010 interim was a busy one for the Alaska Conservation Voters, as the Legislature focused its attention on solutions to Alaskan’s energy challenges and opportunities. Stakeholders from multiple constituencies, including conservation, economic and resource development, consumer protection, non-profit, and utility representatives were convened by the House Special Committee on Energy to begin work on an Alaska Energy Policy. Their purpose was to develop a statewide energy policy that provides a basis for a long-term energy vision, and a comprehensive and coordinated approach to energy development in Alaska. The work resulted in House Bill 305 the Omnibus Energy Bill.

The House bill covers a variety of energy issues including the Renewable Energy Grant fund and the creation of the Emerging Energy Technology fund, energy efficiency codes for specific buildings, a renewable energy production tax credit, and a department of energy.

The Senate also has been busy. Meeting over the summer interim was the Senate Energy Policy Group, made up of members from the Senate Energy and Resources Committees. The Group released in October its list of energy policies and programs. These policies and programs went into the creation of Senate Bill 220.

Included in the bill are 2 of our 3 priorities – the emerging energy tech fund and energy efficiency for public buildings bills. Unfortunately, Regional Transit Authority (SB 152) did not make it in.

This means that on the Senate side, discussions about Energy Efficiency (SB 121) and Emerging Energy Technology (SB 150) will likely happen now in the context of SB 220.