SENATE BILL NO. 203 "An Act establishing an energy assistance program in the Department of Revenue to issue an energy voucher to Alaska permanent fund dividend recipients; and relating to the analysis and recommendation of an energy assistance program by the governor." 9:04:02 AM Senator Thomas introduced SB 203. He stressed that many of his constituents faced very high energy costs, and have forced some families to move somewhere else. He remarked that many other people in the state faced high energy costs. He noted that the bill had many technical issues, and the Department of Law was working through some of those issues. He referred to the bill summary (copy on file): Section 1: State sends a voucher to every adult PFD recipient in the fall of 2012, which can be redeemed at a fuel distributor or utility for 250 gallons of heating oil, or for the natural gas BTU equivalent, or for 1,500 KWH of electricity. • Fuel distributors apply to be added to the list of qualified distributors. • Vouchers are numbered, state the recipient's name and are non-transferable. • Vouchers may be redeemed at any qualified fuel distributor in the state. • Fuel may be delivered to any address in the state. • Recipients who certify that they do not pay directly for home heating oil, natural gas or electricity may return their vouchers to the department and receive either: a replacement voucher in the name of their landlord, or a check for $250. • Distributors submit claims for reimbursement to the state that list voucher numbers, names of voucher owners, fuel delivery addresses and the retail price of fuel on the delivery date. • The program will be administered by the Department of Revenue/AHFC Section 2: Executive branch evaluates options and makes a recommendation for an energy assistance program for Alaskans in 2013 and beyond. The analysis and recommendation are due October 1, 2012. The analysis will include evaluation of a "fuel price reduction" program, an "individual account" program and alternate options, as well as a recommendation for the best program that can be instituted in FY14: Fuel price reduction option: The state makes payments to fuel distributors to lower the price they charge Alaskans for residential heating fuel. Distributors of heating oil and natural gas submit to the state proof of the wholesale purchase price for the fuel they distribute, and the state reimburses those distributors the amount necessary to effectively reduce that wholesale price a specified amount or to a specified price. Distributors receive this reimbursement for all fuel they sell in the state for residential heating. The executive branch analysis will include consideration of the limiting the number of gallons each Alaskan may purchase at the reduced rate. Individual account option: Alaskans apply through the annual PFD process and qualify for an amount of money to be deposited by the state in an account in their name at a fuel distributor or electric utility of their choice in their community. The amount of assistance varies depending on energy costs and heating degree days in each community. The Permanent Fund Division creates an electronic system similar to "pick-click-give" through which applicants may select a fuel distributor or utility. Individuals who do not select a fuel distributor or utility receive a standard, statewide "base" amount of assistance in the form of a check to their PFD mailing addresses. The executive branch analysis will consider allowing Alaskans to deposit a portion of their PFD's into their fuel accounts, in addition to their energy assistance. The executive branch analysis of the options and its recommended program must include evaluation of the following: 1. Whether the program can be structured so the resulting energy assistance will not be subject to federal taxation. 2. The estimated cost of the program in FY14 and for the following 4 years. 3. The cost of administering the program relative to the assistance provided to Alaskans. 4. The extent to which the program provides the most assistance to those Alaskans who have the highest heating costs. The recommended program must include the following: • Amount of assistance correlated to the cost of home heating in different communities. • Program triggered by ANS crude oil price or a heating oil price, and total program funding level dependent on state revenue. • Penalties for fraud similar to PFD provisions, including loss of future PFD's. • Voluntary participation by fuel distributors. • Administrative costs kept to a minimum. 9:06:47 AM CATHERINE REARDON, STAFF, SENATOR JOE THOMAS, explained that SB 203 would provide Alaskans with energy relief through fuel vouchers in fall 2012, and developed a program to help residents deal with high heating costs during the transition to more affordable energy supplies. The first section of SB 203 directed the Alaska Department of Revenue to send a voucher to every adult Permanent Fund Dividend recipient in the fall of 2012, which could be redeemed at the fuel distributor or utility of their choice for either 250 gallons of heating oil, an equivalent amount of natural gas, or 1,500 KWH of electricity. By providing an equal amount of fuel to each adult, the voucher system would account for the disparate cost of different fuels and prices in different locations. Renters and others who certify that they did not pay directly for home heating oil, natural gas or electricity may request the reissuance of their voucher in the name of their landlord or a $250 cash payment. The second section of the bill (beginning on page 5) required the governor to analyze two specific options for energy relief in FY14 and beyond: a "fuel price reduction program" (fuel price buy-down) and an "individual account program." The executive branch may also analyze alternatives to those options before making a recommendation. The analysis and recommendation would be due back to the legislature by October 1, 2012. The program ultimately recommended by the state must correlate the amount of assistance to the local cost of residential heating, taking into consideration the price of fuel and "heating degree days" in each community, as well as satisfy other requirements designed to ensure an efficient and equitable program. She stated that SB 203 would provide needed relief in the current year, and develop a program to help families in the future. DAVE MILLER, VICE-CHAIRMAN, COLD CLIMATE HOUSING RESEARCH, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 203. He stressed that relief for the high energy costs would be very good for the economy. He remarked that the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) had expressed support as well. He stressed that using the resources available in the state was necessary. 9:12:30 AM WALTER ROSE, ENERGY SPECIALIST, KAWERAK, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 203. He stressed that the cost of energy was very high and continued to rise. He remarked that January 2012 was the coldest month on record in Nome. He felt that SB 203 provided relief in an especially challenging year. MEERA KOHLER, CEO, AVEC, testified in support of SB 203. She stressed that the high cost of energy was crippling the rural villages. She felt that the bill would provide great relief to Alaskans, and expressed that she was very impressed with the bill. She feared what might happen to the rural Alaskans, if the bill was not implemented soon. Senator Olson wondered what default rate existed in the villages. Ms. Kohler replied that most people honored their obligations, and stated that the collection rate was at 99 percent. 9:17:29 AM JOY HUNTINGTON, LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE, TANANA CHIEFS, CONFERENCE, spoke in support of SB 203. She felt that SB 203 would provide much needed relief to many rural villages. She explained that she wanted to serve the people of Fort Yukon, and while she was living there, she could not afford the extremely high energy costs. She stated that the cost of gas in small villages was $10 per gallon. JIM DODSON, FAIRBANKS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, spoke in support of SB 203. He remarked that he would not normally support this type of legislation, but felt that SB 203 was necessary until the energy costs declined. MYRON NANERY, ASSOCIATION OF VILLAGE COUNCIL, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 203. He noted that some villages were limiting their fuel supplies, because the high cost of fuel. He stressed that there needed to be a long-term solution to the energy needs in Alaska. 9:24:07 AM MELODY NIBECK, BRISTOL BAY NATIVE ASSOCIATION, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 203. She stressed that energy assistance programs were very beneficial to Alaskans. She recommended that the Bristol Bay Native Association be a part of the conversation with the administration regarding recommendations for changes to the bill. DAVID OWENS, OWENS INSPECTION SERVICES, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 203. He stressed that the legislation was critical to help Alaskans with the high cost of fuel. Senator Thomas thanked the committee for hearing the bill, and noted that Senator Ellis, Senator Egan, and Senator Olson were co-sponsors of the bill. SB 203 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.