03/28/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 62                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund                                                                        
     and recommendation program; and providing for an                                                                           
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:22:49 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   BRYCE   EDGMON,  SPONSOR,   explained   the                                                                    
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:24:44 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
LAIB  ALLENSWORTH,   STAFF,  REPRESENTATIVE   BRYCE  EDGMON,                                                                    
discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Sec 1.  Amends Section 5, Ch. 31, SLA 2008, as                                                                             
     previously amended, to extend the repeal date of the                                                                       
     fund to June 30, 2033.                                                                                                     
     Sec 2.  Makes the sunset extension retroactive to                                                                          
     June 30, 2023 if the bill takes effect after the Fund                                                                      
     sunsets on that date.                                                                                                      
     Sec 3.  Establishes an immediate effective date under                                                                      
     AS 01.10.070(c).                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:25:29 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
TIM SANDSTROM, COO, ALASKA  ENERGY AUTHORITY, ANCHORAGE (via                                                                    
teleconference), discussed the fiscal note.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Olson  wondered whether  there were  no anticipated                                                                    
funding needed in future years.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Sandstrom  replied that the expectation  was outlined as                                                                    
an average.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether there  was a review of the                                                                    
old grants to see the impact and benefit to the meter.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative Edgmon replied that in the affirmative.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  hoped that the benchmarks  of diesel usage                                                                    
would be used in the project.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Edgmon agreed.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
10:30:36 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Merrick noted  that the  spreadsheet, and  wondered                                                                    
whether  the   unspent  money  would  be   returned  to  the                                                                    
Renewable Energy Fund.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Allensworth deferred to Mr. Sandstrom.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Sandstrom stated that it went back to the fund.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:31:54 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CURTIS THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY,                                                                     
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), explained how that unspent                                                                      
money would be returned to the fund.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Sandstrom stated that he had no further testimony.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:33:31 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL ROVITO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ALASKA POWER ASSOCIATION,                                                                      
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the                                                                         
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:35:30 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Bishop wanted assurance that all available federal                                                                      
dollars had been explored to leverage the state dollars.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HB 62 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further                                                                               
consideration.