Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
02/03/2011 03:00 PM House ENERGY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s) by - the Alaska Energy Authority on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Efforts - the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation on Energy Efficiency, Energy Rebates, and Weatherization Program | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
February 3, 2011
3:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt, Co-Chair
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Pete Petersen
Representative Chris Tuck
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Les Gara
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS; THE ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION
ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY - ENERGY REBATES - AND WEATHERIZATION
PROGRAMS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
SEAN SKALING, Program Manager
Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C)
Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the PowerPoint presentation
titled, "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Efforts at the
Alaska Energy Authority," dated 2/3/11.
KATIE CONWAY, Assistant Program Manager
Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C)
Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the PowerPoint presentation
titled, "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Efforts at the
Alaska Energy Authority," dated 2/3/11.
CARY BOLING, Deputy Director
Governmental Relations and Public Affairs
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue (DOR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the PowerPoint presentation
titled, "AHFC Energy Program Rebate and Weatherization Update,"
dated 2/3/11.
JOHN ANDERSON, Weatherization Program Manager
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue (DOR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the PowerPoint presentation
titled, "AHFC Energy Program Rebate and Weatherization Update,"
dated 2/3/11.
DAN FAUSKE, CEO/Executive Director
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue (DOR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the PowerPoint
presentation titled, "AHFC Energy Program Rebate and
Weatherization Update," dated 2/3/11.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:05:27 PM
CO-CHAIR LANCE PRUITT called the House Special Committee on
Energy meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Representatives Pruitt,
Petersen, Lynn, and Foster were present at the call to order.
Representatives Tuck and Saddler arrived as the meeting was in
progress. Representative Gara was also present.
^PRESENTATION(S) by - THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ON ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS - THE ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENERGY REBATES, AND
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
PRESENTATION(S) by - THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ON ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS - THE ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENERGY REBATES,WEATHERIZATION
PROGRAMS
3:07:03 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT announced that the order of business would be
presentations by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) on energy
efficiency and conservation efforts, and by the Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC) on energy efficiency programs.
3:07:20 PM
SEAN SKALING, Program Manager, Energy Efficiency and
Conservation (EE&C), Alaska Industrial Development & Export
Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Department
of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), began the
presentation with a brief history of AEA. The agency has been
involved in several projects such as the Bradley Lake
Hydroelectric Project, rural tank farm replacements, powerhouse
upgrades in rural areas, the rural energy fund, and various
village energy efficiency programs. The agency's mission is to
reduce the cost of energy for Alaska, especially by the least
expensive path of energy efficiency, which is more effective
than generating additional energy. He advised that energy
efficiency is AEA's short-term goal and developing more sources
of renewable energy is its long-term goal, although both of
these goals must be pursued hand-in-hand. Mr. Skaling clarified
that energy efficiency refers to the technology that will reduce
the amount of energy needed, and conservation refers to "the
human behavior aspects of it." He recalled that the legislature
tasked AEA with taking steps toward improving energy efficiency
15 percent by 2020, and the agency has begun the groundwork
needed to reach that goal. For example, the industrial audit
pilot project addresses energy efficiency for the industrial
sector such as seafood processors. With the University of
Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Institute of Northern Engineering and the
Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, AEA is using technical and
fishing expertise working together to conduct audits of seafood
processors. So far two audits have been conducted, both with
positive results, and he displayed a slide that showed the
energy loss from an industrial oven that could be modified to
save the processor an estimated $10,000 in two months. Mr.
Skaling described other energy efficiency programs managed
through AEA. The Small Cities Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grants (EECBG), funded by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provided money to
the 10 largest cities and the 10 largest boroughs in Alaska.
Additionally, $5 million was made available to pass on to
smaller communities; in fact, 97 eligible applications for these
funds have been received and work is underway to improve the
efficiency of the public buildings in these communities. Funds
from ARRA also support the Village Energy Efficiency Program
(VEEP), which grants funds to villages and rural areas for
improvements to their public facilities.
3:14:47 PM
MR. SKALING further explained ARRA funds are also used for the
Whole Village Retrofit concept to demonstrate how much energy
efficiency potential there is in a village, and what kind of
economic impact is possible. The agency attempts to simplify
the retrofit reporting process for cities by offering regional
technical assistance providers. He provided a Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) light bulb for members to examine and pointed out
LED bulbs are less affected by extreme cold, are more durable,
easier to dispose of, and are longer-lasting than are compact
fluorescent light bulbs, thus may be a better choice for
replacement bulbs in villages. In response to Representative
Tuck, he said LEDs do not generate heat, and some are dimmable.
3:17:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK then asked for the price difference between
LED and compact fluorescent bulbs.
3:17:50 PM
MR. SKALING estimated LEDs are five times more expensive, but
last five-to-seven times longer. In response to Representative
Foster, he surmised small LEDs surpass compact fluorescents in
value and are becoming more readily available. As a matter of
fact, streetlights that are 100 lumens per watt will soon be
available. Addressing the issue of return on investment, Mr.
Skaling advised that the abovementioned programs are producing
an average payback of about three years. For example, the
estimated community savings from all of the programs is about $3
million per year, and after the estimated lifespan of eleven
years, will result in $33 million in savings from a federal
investment of $8 million, and a state investment of $600,000.
Mr. Skaling furnished a map that indicated the location of
projects funded throughout the state. To give an example of a
Whole Village Retrofit, he displayed a slide of the Emmonak
Washeteria, and noted that after the installation of new dryer
controls, and a boiler tune-up, 6,070 gallons of diesel fuel and
$21,000 are being saved per year. In Napaskiak, streetlights
were replaced with 48 LED streetlights saving 1,770 gallons of
diesel fuel per year. Finally, he described the $600,000
commercial energy audit program that began about four weeks ago.
As there are no existing programs or services for commercial
businesses, AEA has put together a program to provide energy
audits for commercial buildings. The program has already
attracted over 80 applications for 125-150 audits and one-half
of the available funding is obligated. He concluded that
commercial building owners are very interested in opportunities
for saving energy.
3:26:15 PM
KATIE CONWAY, Assistant Program Manager, Energy Efficiency and
Conservation (EE&C), Alaska Industrial Development & Export
Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Department
of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), explained
that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Working Group
(EECWG) is one of the primary components of AEA's public
education and outreach initiative for energy efficiency and
conservation. The group has been working since January 2010, in
an effort to coordinate independent efficiency improvement
efforts. She opined the common bond among the working group
members is education and outreach; in fact, members range from
university programs, the conservation community, federal and
state program offices, tribal organizations, utilities, and
private businesses. The 30 member organizations of the working
group share information and are moving forward with efficiency
projects. The underlying philosophy for the EECWG is:
Collaborating will be a much more efficient way of reaching our
efficiency goals. Ms. Conway described a symbol designed and
adopted by the working group to represent energy efficiency and
conservation in Alaska and to raise public awareness.
3:29:44 PM
MS. CONWAY recalled at its first meeting EECWG recognized a need
for better coordination between state agencies and all who work
for energy efficiency. The working group also called for an
update to the 2008 Policy and Recommendation report produced by
the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) and paid for by
AEA and AHFC, which addressed the need for baseline energy data.
Also, EECWG found a need for a "one-stop shopping information
source" for energy efficiency and conservation information, and
created a virtual energy resource: www.ak.energyefficiency.org.
The website will reach audiences all over Alaska and will
broadcast events, jobs advertisements, and contacts for
commercial energy auditors. Ms. Conway displayed a slide of the
website.
3:32:51 PM
MS. CONWAY continued to say EECWG won a $700,000 competitive
grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offered to the
states with the worst performances in energy efficiency. The
title of the grant, which will be funded in two phases, was
"Biggest State to Biggest Saver," and embodies one of the goals
made by the working group which was for Alaska to become the
most efficient state in the nation. In addition, EECWG
announced Energy Awareness Month - an integrated, sustained,
outreach initiative - and hosted an event in Anchorage at a
privately-owned, commercial Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certified building. Ms. Conway
returned to the details of the DOE grant and opined the projects
funded by the first phase of the grant will make 2011 a year of
research and information gathering to determine a clear path and
recommendations for energy efficiency programs. For example,
one project is a community-based needs assessment to be paired
with a best-practices inventory and which will reveal,
community-by-community and region-by-region, where the highest
needs are. Other projects are: a greatly expanded rewrite of
the aforementioned CCHRC report study looking at heat, power,
and the regulatory environment thereof due 4/11; an end-use data
study to obtain baseline data regarding statewide residential
and non-residential power and heat energy use due 2/12; an
interface to link successes of energy efficiency and
conservation to the website. In conclusion, Ms. Conway
indicated that the second phase of funding from the grant
provides opportunities for direct engagement with the public to
encourage efficiencies.
3:38:27 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked whether there are guidelines for the use
of the logo.
MS. CONWAY said there are none. In further response, she
acknowledged AEA would not encourage random use of the symbol;
however, she assumed any organization working towards a "15
percent by 2020 goal" can use the logo.
3:39:59 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER expressed his support.
3:40:14 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked whether all ARRA funds have been spent.
MR. SKALING responded that ARRA funds are all spoken for, but
not all are spent. For example, the commercial energy audit
rebate is still in the application period, and no rebates have
actually been done.
3:41:29 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT surmised that with the expenditure of the
federal stimulus funds, future programs developed by the working
group will wait for the completion of research.
MR. SKALING assured the committee his agency will move forward
with other programs; however, AEA is taking full advantage of
the free federal funds to complete research, set a baseline, try
some new things, and determine "a better sense in the future of
where the best money is to be spent."
3:42:16 PM
CARY BOLING, Deputy Director, Governmental Relations and Public
Affairs, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department
of Revenue (DOR), provided background for the rebate and
weatherization programs. In 2008, energy prices in the state
were very high because the price of oil was approximately $140
per barrel. In response, the legislature provided relief for
residents and appropriated $200 million dollars for an existing
income-based weatherization program for homeowners and renters,
and $160 million for a rebate program for homeowners who choose
to make energy improvements. He explained that for the rebate
program energy ratings are required before and after the
improvements are made, to determine the amount of the rebate, up
to the maximum of $10,000.
3:47:16 PM
MR. BOLING, in response to Co-Chair Foster, acknowledged that at
the beginning of the rebate program there were only 38 raters in
the state, so AHFC added a rater-training component to the
program. Presently, there are about 100 raters; however,
because it is difficult for each small community to have a local
rater, AHFC subsidizes travel costs for "roving" raters to go to
rural areas. Additionally, fourteen regional housing
authorities joined five existing agencies providing
weatherization ratings and improvements.
3:48:44 PM
JOHN ANDERSON, Weatherization Program Manager, Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department of Revenue (DOR), added
that AHFC's training component is ongoing; in fact, housing
authorities are still encouraged to continue with its sponsored
training for them - the Building Performance Institute - and
become authorized energy raters. In fact, about one-half of the
housing authorities new to the program have that certification.
On the other hand, he expressed his frustration that training an
energy rater for each small community is not fiscally
responsible.
3:49:55 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER noted the opportunity to improve the
weatherization of homes is very important for rural areas.
3:50:42 PM
MR. BOLING recalled the "$360 million flood" of money was
appropriated in April 2008, and the program was to begin the
following summer. In fact, AHFC launched the program in May
2008, and three years later the results are: 37,264 ratings
completed; 11,376 rebates paid to homeowners in an average
amount of $6,200; 941 newly constructed 5-Star Plus home rebates
paid in the amount of $7,500; 5,003 homes weatherized. Since
2008, this is a total of 17,320 homes which are now more energy
efficient. Mr. Boling compared the new program to the existing
energy rating system called AkWARM, which was begun in 1996, and
pointed out that under the AkWARM program, 25,557 ratings were
performed and 10,704 homes weatherized during the 12 years prior
to 2008.
MR. BOLING informed the committee AHFC has a valuable database
of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) savings resulting from the
home energy rebate program throughout the state. For example,
total energy saved averages out to about $1,535 per year per
home. Carbon dioxide reductions average to 12,000 pounds per
year, and most homes move from an energy rating of 2-Star Plus
to 4-Star. Furthermore, a total of 978 billion British thermal
units (Btus) are saved, reducing the average energy use by 33.15
percent. He equated the annual savings to 168,766 barrels of
crude oil, 7 million gallons of fuel oil, or 717 gallons of fuel
oil per home. Mr. Boling also furnished a chart which indicated
statewide average savings per home by fuel type: 770 kilowatt
hours of electricity (kWhs); 999 therms (one hundred cubic feet)
of natural gas; 642 gallons of number 2 oil; 93 gallons of
propane; 2.2 cords of wood. He returned to the energy rater
training component and estimated at least 2,500 jobs were
created from a combination of the weatherization and rebate
programs.
MR. ANDERSON stressed the difficulty in tracking job creation or
retention because of the number of vendors, such as mechanical
contractors, electrical contractors, and suppliers affected by
this "brand new industry that sparked up because of the rebate
and weatherization program." A study by the University of
Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Institute of Social and Economic Research
(ISER) is expected to be available in June.
3:58:08 PM
MR. BOLING advised the weatherization program received $200
million and $74 million was obligated in 2008-2009, $63 million
was obligated in 2010, and $63 million is projected to be
obligated in 2011. The number of homes weatherized: 1,864 in
2009; 3,139 in 2010; 4,000 are projected for 2011.
3:59:59 PM
MR. ANDERSON, in response to Representative Saddler, said AHFC
encourages residents to continue to apply for the programs.
Regardless of the sources of the funding, the agency anticipates
continuation of the programs; in fact, the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) contributes an average of $1.5 million to the
weatherization program each year.
4:00:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER surmised all of the allocated money is
obligated at this time.
MR. ANDERSON indicated yes. It is known that Anchorage has 600
potential weatherization clients on a waiting list.
4:01:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN observed there is a growing demand, and
he asked whether additional funding is needed from the
legislature.
MR. ANDERSON related that the program is in the governor's
budget for $25 million. The presentation has shown what has
happened over the past four years; however, the projections for
next year are without a plan for the future.
4:02:54 PM
MR. BOLING displayed a chart which indicated the number of
communities served: 56 in 2008, 90 in 2009, 100 plus in 2011,
and 100 plus estimated in 2011. He concluded the weatherization
program has attained "a sustainable capacity." Turning to the
home energy rebate program, Mr. Boling said the $160 million
appropriation to this program is fully obligated. He explained
the process begins with an energy rating of the home which
recommends improvements. The homeowner is reimbursed $325 for
the cost of the rating, and then has an 18-month period to
complete the work and submit paperwork for the remainder of the
rebate. Thus money is held for 18 months for each applicant.
4:04:36 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked for the action that begins the 18-month
period.
MR. BOLING clarified that the time period starts with the home
energy rating. In further response to Co-Chair Pruitt,
applications are still being received; in fact, it is a mistake
to wait to send in an application once the rating is done.
4:05:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN shared his personal experience with the
program.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN reported he has completed the process,
and increased the energy rating on his home from 2-Star Plus to
4-Star Plus. He cautioned that some residents believe the
program is over.
4:08:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said he wanted to be present during the
energy rating.
MR. BOLING recommended that the homeowner be present for the
rating because "it has been a very good learning experience."
He also recommended that homeowners attend classes sponsored by
AHFC to help them make their own improvements.
4:10:03 PM
MR. ANDERSON assured the committee there is a procedure to deal
with people who have extenuating circumstances.
4:10:28 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked whether has there been feedback from
members of the public.
MR. BOLING opined some homeowners believe there is no funding,
and there is a long waiting period now, which is discouraging.
4:11:19 PM
DAN FAUSKE, CEO/Executive Director, Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC), Department of Revenue (DOR), acknowledged
that there are 3,000 homeowners on the waiting list, which
proves there is still interest in the program. He provided his
personal experience with people who are very satisfied. The
program is unique and the response has been very good. The
agency did not advertise heavily, but he guaranteed there will
be a strong response to the next appropriation.
4:12:59 PM
MR. BOLING reiterated $160 million is fully obligated and $88.6
million has been expended. He continued to explain that 24,956
applicants have completed the as-is rating and received their
reimbursement for the cost. The completion rate has
consistently been nearly 63.3 percent for one year. Mr. Boling
informed the committee that when the program first began in the
fall of 2008, many residents were unable to get an appointment
with a rater. Since there was a shortage of certified raters, a
centralized call list was developed to dispatch raters more
efficiently, and as a result the waiting list dropped from 9,492
in December 2008, to 463 one year later. Currently, 3,548
homeowners are on the waiting list, not because raters are
unavailable, but because new applicants must wait 18 months to
know if previously obligated funds are available.
4:16:04 PM
MR. ANDERSON added that about 100 applications per week continue
to be dispatched.
4:16:38 PM
MR. BOLING, in response to Representative Lynn, agreed that the
average wait now is about eight months.
4:16:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether certified raters will be
lost to other jobs.
MR. ANDERSON indicated yes, due to the lack of demand. He added
that most of the energy raters came from the home inspection and
energy industry.
4:17:47 PM
MR. BOLING displayed a chart which showed the average homeowner
spends about $11,000 on energy efficiency improvements and the
average rebate is $6,287; thus the average investment by the
homeowner is about $4,582. Furthermore, the average annual
energy savings is about $1,535, or about a three-year payback on
the homeowner's investment.
MR. ANDERSON noted the homeowner investment component of the
original legislation was inserted by Senator Hoffman, and has
proven effective.
4:19:01 PM
MR. BOLING turned attention to another AHFC program that
provides second mortgage loans for energy conservation
improvements. This program assists homeowners who may not have
the cash for energy projects and loans up to $30,000 for 15
years at a fixed rate. At this time 93 loans have been paid
off, and there are 33 active loans. When used in combination
with the rebate program, the rebate is used to pay down the
loan.
4:20:00 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked how the loans are serviced in small
communities.
MR. ANDERSON assured the committee AHFC "will make it happen"
for qualified applicants.
4:20:28 PM
MR. BOLING summarized: 17,320 homes completed; reduced energy
costs of 30 percent and energy savings of 32 percent; a minimum
of 2,500 new jobs; annual capacity of 4,000 weatherization
program homes; all funds obligated.
4:21:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the program has been
replicated.
MR. ANDERSON said the rebate program has been shared with many
entities, including the DOE. As a matter of fact, the
weatherization program has been an ongoing national program
since 1978, although the additional money that was appropriated
by the legislature allowed the income threshold to rise to 100
percent of median income, thus many more residents in Alaska
qualified.
4:22:59 PM
MR. ANDERSON, in response to Co-Chair Pruitt, explained that $25
million in the governor's budget is directed to both programs.
In further response, he said those funds would cover "on the
rebate program, roughly 2,000, and on the weatherization
program, roughly 1,000."
4:23:06 PM
MR. BOLING recalled last session the legislature approved $220
million for the Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund
(AEERLF) to be used toward energy efficiency improvements for
regional educational attendance areas (REAAs), the University of
Alaska (UA), state facilities, and municipal facilities. The
intent is to promote energy efficiency performance contracting,
wherein guaranteed energy savings from energy efficiency
improvements are used to pay off the loan. Prior to loan
approval, a Retrofit Energy Assessment for Loan (REAL) is done
to evaluate the payback for certain conservation measures. Also
prior to the loan there is an initial project evaluation, energy
audits by nationally certified engineers, and the execution of
energy performance contracts (EPCs). The performance contracts
are between AHFC, energy service companies (ESCos), and the
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF). Mr.
Boling noted that retrofits can be managed by ESCos, or in some
cases, the owner of the facility.
4:25:11 PM
MR. ANDERSON elaborated on the program, noting that it is in its
final phases of development; for example, contractors have been
selected, and AHFC is working closely with school districts,
municipalities, and DOTPF.
4:25:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for examples of ESCos.
MR. ANDERSON responded that national associations reflect on the
building-science abilities of some companies such as Siemens,
Ameresco, Johnson Controls Inc., and Honeywell International
Inc. Federal agencies have been working with ESCos for years
and DOTPF has completed about 17 buildings in the state using
this model. The National Association of Energy Professionals
provides the accreditations for ESCos and AHFC will add cold
climate specific requirements of its own.
4:27:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN pointed out the popularity of the
programs that were presented and asked what kind of funding is
necessary to continue "at the current rate."
MR. ANDERSON estimated that AHFC has the capacity to administer
$100 million per year through these two programs.
4:28:31 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER praised AEA and AHFC on their critically
important contributions to the wellbeing of the state and its
residents.
4:29:44 PM
MR. FAUSKE reminded the committee that energy efficiency
improvements lengthen the lifecycle of people's homes and
enhance the quality of life. He said, "What started out a few
years ago has turned into just a valuable program around this
state."
4:31:11 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked how many years an appropriation of $100
million would fund.
MR. ANDERSON estimated the programs would continue until 3/13.
In further response to Co-Chair Pruitt, he explained AHFC
estimated that the original allocation of $300 million in 4/08
would take care of about 10 percent of the state's needs. With
the additional $60 million for the rebate program, the estimate
of improved homes rises to about 12-13 percent.
4:33:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether construction codes require
new homes to comply with 4-Star or 5-Star energy ratings.
MR. ANDERSON confirmed that new buildings receiving AHFC funding
have to follow the Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES)
requirements. He understood that most other financing agencies
are requiring the same.
4:33:44 PM
MR. BOLING said BEES is equivalent to a 4-Star Plus home rating.
4:34:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN expressed his pride in the program and
said it would be shortsighted not to continue to help Alaskans
make their homes more energy efficient.
4:35:10 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Energy meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Housing Finance Corporation presentation on energy efficiency programs.pptx |
HENE 2/3/2011 3:00:00 PM |
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Presentation |
| Alaska Energy Authority presentation on energy efficiency and conservation.pptx |
HENE 2/3/2011 3:00:00 PM |
Alaska Energy Authority Presentation |