Enrolled HB 306: Declaring a state energy policy.
00Enrolled HB 306 01 Declaring a state energy policy. 02 _______________ 03 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 04 to read: 05 LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature that 06 (1) the state achieve a 15 percent increase in energy efficiency on a per capita 07 basis between 2010 and 2020; 08 (2) the state receive 50 percent of its electric generation from renewable and 09 alternative energy sources by 2025; 10 (3) the state work to ensure a reliable in-state gas supply for residents of the 11 state; 12 (4) the power project fund (AS 42.45.010) serve as the main source of state 13 assistance for energy projects; 14 (5) the state remain a leader in petroleum and natural gas production and 15 become a leader in renewable and alternative energy development.
01 * Sec. 2. AS 44.99 is amended by adding a new section to read: 02 Sec. 44.99.115. Declaration of state energy policy. The State of Alaska 03 recognizes that the state's economic prosperity is dependent on available, reliable, and 04 affordable residential, commercial, and industrial energy to supply the state's electric, 05 heating, and transportation needs. The state also recognizes that worldwide supply and 06 demand for fossil fuels and concerns about global climate change will affect the price 07 of fossil fuels consumed by Alaskans and exported from the state to other markets. In 08 establishing a state energy policy, the state further recognizes the immense diversity of 09 the state's geography, cultures, and resource availability. Therefore, it is the policy of 10 the state to 11 (1) institute a comprehensive and coordinated approach to supporting 12 energy efficiency and conservation by 13 (A) encouraging statewide energy efficiency codes for new and 14 renovated residential, commercial, and public buildings; 15 (B) decreasing public building energy consumption through 16 conservation measures and energy-efficient technologies; and 17 (C) initiating and supporting a program to educate state 18 residents on the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation, including 19 dissemination of information on state and federal programs that reward energy 20 efficiency; 21 (2) encourage economic development by 22 (A) promoting the development of renewable and alternative 23 energy resources, including geothermal, wind, solar, hydroelectric, 24 hydrokinetic, tidal, and biomass energy, for use by Alaskans; 25 (B) promoting the development, transport, and efficient use of 26 nonrenewable and alternative energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, 27 gas hydrates, heavy oil, and nuclear energy, for use by Alaskans and for 28 export; 29 (C) working to identify and assist with development of the 30 most cost-effective, long-term sources of energy for each community 31 statewide;
01 (D) creating and maintaining a state fiscal regime and 02 permitting and regulatory processes that encourage private sector development 03 of the state's energy resources; and 04 (E) promoting the efficiency of energy used for transportation; 05 (3) support energy research, education, and workforce development by 06 investing in 07 (A) training and education programs that will help create jobs 08 for Alaskans and that address energy conservation, efficiency, and availability, 09 including programs that address workforce development and workforce 10 transition; and 11 (B) applied energy research and development of alternative and 12 emerging technologies, including university programs, to achieve reductions in 13 state energy costs and stimulate industry investment in the state; 14 (4) coordinate governmental functions 15 (A) by reviewing and streamlining regulatory processes and 16 balancing the economic costs of review with the level of regulation necessary 17 to protect the public interest; 18 (B) by using one office or agency, as may be specified by law, 19 to serve as a clearinghouse in managing the state's energy-related functions to 20 avoid fragmentation and duplication and to increase effectiveness; and 21 (C) by actively collaborating with federal agencies to achieve 22 the state's energy goals and to meet emissions, renewable and alternative 23 energy, and energy production targets.