HB 9: "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; requiring the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic development to seek public and private funding for the partnership; providing for the contingent repeal of an effective date; and providing for an effective date."
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 9 01 "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the Department of 02 Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; requiring the commissioner of 03 commerce, community, and economic development to seek public and private funding 04 for the partnership; providing for the contingent repeal of an effective date; and 05 providing for an effective date." 06 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 07 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 08 to read: 09 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that 10 (1) scientists recognize hydrogen as a potential source of fuel; 11 (2) with further research and development, hydrogen could competitively 12 serve as an alternative source of energy for fueling vehicles and generating electricity; 13 (3) there is significant federal government and private sector investment in
01 hydrogen research and development programs; and 02 (4) Alaska is an excellent site to attract federal government and industry 03 investment in hydrogen due to the following advantages: 04 (A) the availability of indigenous renewable resources, including 05 sufficient geothermal energy for processing hydrogen at an industrial scale; 06 (B) a source of zeolites for hydrogen storage and handling; and 07 (C) Alaska's location for hydrogen transport around the Pacific Rim; 08 (5) with its traditional high fuel costs and a significant source of renewable 09 energy resources, Alaska could attract advanced technology development companies for 10 research and development, testing, and deployment of hydrogen as a fuel source; these factors 11 can lead to the development of a hydrogen fuel industry resulting in job growth and a more 12 robust state economy. 13 * Sec. 2. AS 41.98 is amended by adding a new section to read: 14 Sec. 41.98.190. Hydrogen energy partnership. (a) There is established in 15 the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development the hydrogen 16 energy partnership. 17 (b) Members of the partnership shall be appointed by the commissioner of 18 commerce, community, and economic development to represent 19 (1) the federal government; 20 (2) state government; 21 (3) the University of Alaska; 22 (4) political subdivisions of the state; 23 (5) tribal organizations of the state; 24 (6) the electric utility industry; 25 (7) the fossil fuel industry; 26 (8) nonfossil fuel energy industry; and 27 (9) private environmental conservation groups. 28 (c) The partnership members shall serve without compensation but are entitled 29 to transportation expenses and per diem as authorized for members of boards and 30 commissions under AS 39.20.180. 31 (d) The hydrogen energy partnership shall facilitate the development of a
01 hydrogen fuel industry in Alaska by means including 02 (1) meeting with hydrogen energy interests to plan hydrogen energy 03 research and development; 04 (2) proposing policy to promote federal and private industry 05 investment in hydrogen energy research and development; 06 (3) evaluating the market for hydrogen energy production; 07 (4) proposing tax incentives for investment in a hydrogen energy 08 infrastructure; and 09 (5) reporting annually to the legislature on or before the 20th day of 10 each regular session on the development of hydrogen energy production in the state. 11 * Sec. 3. AS 44.33.020(a) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 12 (45) provide staff support for the hydrogen energy partnership 13 established under AS 41.98.190, and the University of Alaska shall provide assistance 14 to the commissioner upon request. 15 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 16 read: 17 FUNDING FOR HYDROGEN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP. The commissioner of 18 commerce, community, and economic development shall seek federal and private sources of 19 funding to cover the costs of the establishment of and operation of the hydrogen energy 20 partnership established in sec. 2 of this Act. 21 * Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 22 read: 23 CONDITIONAL EFFECT. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act take effect only if the 24 Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development obtains sufficient 25 funding under sec. 4 of this Act. 26 * Sec. 6. If secs. 2 and 3 of this Act have not taken effect under sec. 5 of this Act by 27 June 30, 2010, secs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Act are repealed June 30, 2010. 28 * Sec. 7. If secs. 2 and 3 of this Act have not taken effect under sec. 5 of this act by 29 June 30, 2010, sec. 8 of this Act is repealed on June 30, 2010. 30 * Sec. 8. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act take effect 30 days after the commissioner of 31 commerce, community, and economic development notifies the revisor of statutes that
01 sufficient funding required under sec. 4 of this Act has been obtained. 02 * Sec. 9. Section 4 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).