Priority: Negawatts
One of Three Priorities for Enhancing Alaska’s Quality of Life and Protecting a Healthy Environment
Energy Efficiency Success in the Legislature
The 2nd year of the 26th Legislative Session was a big one for
energy efficiency statutory retrofits. Senate Bill 220, the Alaska
Sustainable Energy Act, was passed on April 18th, and includes a number
of provisions improving Alaska's energy efficiency policies. The bill:
- Establishes the Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund
which will make loans to schools, municipalities, universities, or the
state for the purpose of financing energy efficiency improvements.
- Directs the Office of Management and Budget to develop a standardized methodology to collect and store energy consumption and expense data.
- Advises the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to purchase energy efficient vehicles whenever practicable.
- Requires that the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities retrofit 25% of the largest state buildings for increased energy efficiency by 2020.
- Sets energy efficiency standards (ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1) for the construction of new state buildings.
- Directs AEA to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy through training and public education.
- Creates within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development the alternative energy conservation revolving loan fund which makes loans for energy conservation improvements in commercial building.
- Requests a feasibility study from the Department of Revenue regarding a proposed municipal energy improvement program for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Efficiency in Statewide Energy Programs
Alaska’s energy efficiency programs were spread through seven different state affiliated entities, according to an energy efficiency report to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.
In response to this uncoordinated approach to energy efficiency and conservation, an ongoing goal for ACA is the streamlining of statewide energy programs, projects, and departments. Although lawmakers balked at making any sweeping changes to the state's governmental energy structure this year, they did indicate their support for such restructuring. In House Bill 306, declaring a state energy policy, Alaska intends to
"use one office or agency, as may be specified by law, to serve as a clearinghouse in managing the state's energy-related functions to avoid fragmentation and duplication and to increase effectiveness."
ACA has also pursued the creation of the Alaska Energy Savings Center (AESC) - a one-stop-shopping center for efficiency ideas and services. Services could include a comprehensive listing of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation programs for Alaska’s residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Energy efficiency outreach, education and research would be integral to the program.
New offerings that AESC could integrate into existing programs include:
- Education, outreach, workshops and events for residential, commercial and industrial users
- Residential and commercial electrical audits
- CFL recycling, LED light string exchanges, or
- Energy efficiency store front and online education center.
The new directives for AEA and the broader state government goals of the 2010 legislative session will bring about improvements in Alaska's energy efficiency efforts. ACA will continue to support the utilization of this low hanging fruit as a means to environmental health and economic vitality during the interim and through further legislative action during the upcoming 27th session.
For More Info:
Please download the official language of, Senate Bill 220, and House Bill 306.
