Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/05/2016 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors | |
| HB155 | |
| SB201 | |
| SB175 | |
| SB156 | |
| SB193 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 193-EXTEND EXEMPTION FOR SMALL POWER PLANTS
3:19:51 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 193; "An Act
extending the exemption from regulation by the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska for certain facilities or plants generating
energy from renewable energy resources." [CSSB 193(NRG) was
before the committee.]
3:19:53 PM
JESSE LOGAN, Staff, Senator Lesil McGuire, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced SB 193 on behalf of the sponsor. He said
the bill seeks to extend the regulatory exemption for power
plants utilizing renewable resources of under 65 megawatts from
January 2016 to January 2020. The electrical demand of this very
small and dispersed population of Alaska is generally served by
regulated utilities. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska is
challenged and charged with certifying utilities, regulated
rates, resolving disputes, and protecting customers. However,
Alaska has seen increasing private sector investment in the
development of renewable energy systems across the state.
Alaska has exempted small power producers from regulations
provided they sell power on a wholesale basis to regulated
utilities that distribute the power to local customers. The
exemption lowers the barrier cost of entry, but it expired on
January 1, 2016.
He noted regulations can increase the cost of a project and pose
barriers to investment, and also increase the cost of
government. SB 193 continues to put Alaska in a middle ground
between a thoroughly deregulated market and a highly regulated
electrical market. This arrangement maintains state oversight on
the power purchasing agreement and thereby continues to provide
a layer of protection to rate payers.
He provided an example of Fire Island Wind, the CIRI subsidiary
that sells wind power to Chugach Electric in Southcentral
Alaska, which came to light as a result of deregulation.
3:22:20 PM
BOB PICKETT, Chairman, Regulatory Commission of Alaska, offered
to answer questions related to SB 193.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the exemption has worked as planned.
MR. PICKETT said it's fair to say that the initial concerns have
been alleviated. How it will work going forward, if it's
extended, will hopefully add clarification about avoidable
costs. The commission has not taken a position on the bill, but
the narrow exemption has performed as envisioned.
3:24:56 PM
DUFF MITCHELL, Executive Director, Alaska Independent Power
Producers Association, testified in support of SB 193. The
exemption has resulted in a growing cadre of power producers.
Alaska is the only state that regulates small power producers.
He called it state overreach. This bill does nothing but extend
what is already on the books.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked how many members are in the association.
MR. MITCHELL said nine.
CHAIR COSTELLO noted that RCA provides oversight, and federal
regulations address concerns the public might have.
MR. MITCHELL opined that the legislation does not fix state
overreach. He maintained that Alaska is over regulated for small
power producers. SB 193 maintains what is already permitted.
3:27:06 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO held SB 193 in committee with public testimony
open.