Legislature(2011 - 2012)
2011-01-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2011-01-19 Senate Journal Page 0036 SB 42 SENATE BILL NO. 42 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the procurement of supplies, services, professional services, and construction for the Alaska Energy Authority; establishing the Alaska Railbelt energy fund and relating to the fund; relating to and repealing the Railbelt energy fund; relating to the quorum of the board of the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to the powers of the Alaska Energy Authority regarding employees and the transfer of certain employees of the Alaska Industrial Development Export Authority to the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to acquiring or constructing certain projects by the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to the definition of 'feasibility study' in the Alaska Energy Authority Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. 2011-01-19 Senate Journal Page 0037 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 5, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 6, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 7, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would authorize the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to move forward on pursuing a large hydroelectric project to supply much needed energy to Interior and Southcentral Alaska. The bill would authorize AEA to acquire, construct, own, and operate new power projects; create a new Alaska Railbelt energy fund as a fund of AEA; repeal the existing Railbelt energy fund (AS 37.05.520) after the balance of the existing fund is appropriated and transferred into the new fund or appropriated and expended for other purposes; address quorum requirements of the AEA board; and allow for the adoption of regulations to govern the procurement of supplies, services, professional services, and construction. Alaska's State Energy Policy target is to reach 50 percent of its electricity generation through renewable energy by 2025. To achieve this goal, we must move aggressively and invest now to develop capacity for a major hydroelectric project on the Susitna River. This legislation allows AEA to continue with environmental and feasibility 2011-01-19 Senate Journal Page 0038 studies positioning the State to seek preliminary approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a project that will provide half of Southcentral's electricity demand. Alaska must invest now to create new opportunities for economic development and jobs for Alaskans. A Susitna Dam hydroelectric project will provide an important and much needed supply of renewable energy for Alaskan homes and businesses while creating jobs for Alaskans. A sectional analysis is provided with this packet. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this important measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor