03/03/2021 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

          SB 69-EXEMPT RENEWABLE ENERGY ELECTRIC PLANTS                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:31:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO announced  the consideration of SENATE  BILL NO. 69                                                              
"An  Act  extending  an exemption  from  regulation  as  a  public                                                              
utility   for  plants   and  facilities   generating   electricity                                                              
entirely  from renewable  energy resources;  and providing  for an                                                              
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
She noted that  public testimony was closed and  the intention was                                                              
to hear from the sponsor and move the bill from committee.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:31:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR JOSH  REVAK, speaking as  the sponsor via  teleconference,                                                              
summarized that  the bill is an  [extension] of the  exemption for                                                              
small,  private  sector  businesses   from  additional  regulatory                                                              
burden.  He noted  that Alaska  is the  only state  that has  this                                                              
additional regulatory burden.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:32:26 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  noted  the  letter from  the  Alaska  Power                                                              
Association and expressed  hope that as a representative  of small                                                              
electric utilities,  APA would have an opportunity  to address its                                                              
concerns  when the bill  goes through  the public  process  in the                                                              
House.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:33:37 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR STEVENS joined the committee.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  said she informed  the sponsor of the  letter from                                                              
APA  in opposition  to  SB 69.  The  letter arrived  after  public                                                              
testimony  closed but  she committed  to follow  the bill  through                                                              
the House process.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
She listed  the individuals  online who  were available  to answer                                                              
questions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:35:06 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HOLLAND  noted  that  he  talked  to  the  sponsor  about                                                              
potentially  removing the  additional  regulatory  burden for  all                                                              
small businesses,  not just the  ones that sell renewable  energy.                                                              
He acknowledged  that it was too  late for the Senate  to consider                                                              
that in this legislation.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO   said  the  committee  would  be   interested  in                                                              
pursuing that idea.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  said  she  wanted  to  make  sure  the  APA                                                              
representative  who was listening  on line was  aware of  the next                                                              
process for the bill.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO explained  that once the bill passes  the Senate it                                                              
goes to the House  where it will go through the  committee process                                                              
and then  the floor. She noted  that the sponsor indicated  he was                                                              
willing to work with ATA during that process.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:37:15 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:37:47 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and solicited a motion.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:37:52 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HOLLAND moved  to report SB 69, [work order 32- LS0432\A],                                                              
from  committee  with  individual   recommendations  and  attached                                                              
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  found  no objection  and SB 69  was reported  from                                                              
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.