HCR 1-STATEWIDE COMP ENERGY PLAN TASK FORCE  PATRICK FLYNN, aide to Representative Berkowitz, explained that a reliable energy system in Alaska is, among other things, a public health issue. Late last year when the development of North Slope natural gas was being discussed, it was brought to light that a statewide comprehensive energy plan had never been produced. This legislation establishes a task force that will examine the condition of Alaska's energy resources, identify areas needing improvement and recommend action. SENATOR WARD asked for the sunset date. MR. FLYNN said it sunsets on March 1, 2002. SENATOR WILKEN referred to page 1, line 10 and asked whether the words "and tribal governments" adds to the bill. MR. FLYNN responded it recognizes there are tribal organizations providing energy programs and to the extent they can aid in ensuring reliable, affordable energy in Alaska, their support is welcome. SENATOR WILKEN asked whether deleting "tribal governments" would exclude anyone because it seemed redundant since federal, state and municipal governments are already included. MR. FLYNN said it would be exclusionary because some tribal governments are not municipal governments. SENATOR WILKEN thought he would look into that because it seemed out of place to him. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN looked at the list of proposed task force members and asked for an explanation of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC). MR. FLYNN said AVEC is an organization that provides power to 52 small villages throughout rural Alaska. Their prospective is valuable because they understand some of the difficulties of providing power in low population areas. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN asked if they are a part of the Alaska Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ARECA). MR. FLYNN said they are members of ARECA. From their conversations, it is presumed that their task force member would be from the rail belt region, along the intertie area. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN then asked about the Alaska Coal Administration. MR. FLYNN explained that the Alaska Coal Administration felt they should be represented because interior Alaska power comes almost exclusively from coal. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN then asked about the Alaska Audubon Society. MR. FLYNN said they recognize the efforts to provide interties and additional power production in Alaska have caused difficulties with conservation groups. A frequent complaint is that they are not invited to the table. Therefore, when several conservation organizations asked to be included they decided this was a reasonable request. Initially they asked the Alaska Conservation Alliance to join the task force but received complaints from other members. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN said she did not intend to move the bill from committee that day. SENATOR WARD asked about the possibility that the Alaska Audubon Society member be replace by a member from the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). MR. FLYNN said AFN was contacted and that although they are not opposed to the idea, neither are they overly enthusiastic. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN held SCS CSHCR 1 (STA) in committee.