This week saw the deadline – under Legislative Uniform Rule 44 – for the introduction of new legislation. A whole hot batch of new bills were introduced on Wednesday. Given the date’s proximity to the end of the legislative session, probably not many of these new bills will make it through the eye of the needle to pass into law.
Four important bills pertaining to clean energy were introduced (see below). I would like to see these bills pass, and will be working to help move them forward as we enter the home stretch in the session. If they should not pass this session, they are important – because they keep people talking and thinking and working toward increased clean energy. Senator Begich spoke at some length on the Senate Floor this week about our need to pursue these clean energy goals. You can view his remarks here>>
NEW CLEAN ENERGY BILLS
Rep. Adam Wool introduced HB 382 – establishing an Independent System Operator structure for the AK Railbelt “for the purpose of developing a reasonable plan to manage the electric transmission and generation system of the Railbelt area; determining objectively the optimal output of electrical generation facilities to meet the system load at the lowest possible cost, subject to transmission and operational constraints of the Railbelt area; and consolidating operations and tariffs for the Railbelt area.”
Sen. Tom Begich introduced SB 191 establishing that state facilities and PCE eligible community buildings will obtain 50% clean energy by 2025
Sen Begich also introduced HB 190 as a way to help pay for and facilitate the 50% by 2025 mandate. HB 190 “An Act relating to the retrofitting of certain public facilities and community facilities; relating to the performance of energy audits on schools and community facilities; and relating to the duties of the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.”
Finally, Rep. Adam Wool introduced HB 374 ” An Act relating to on-bill financing by an electric or gas distribution utility for certain energy efficiency and conservation improvements.”
HB 374 will be heard Thursday, February 29th at 10:15 a.m. in the House Energy Committee. The committee will also hold public testimony on the bill at that time. Please plan to participate.
hearings to watch this week
Monday Feb. 26
11:00 AM JOINT SESSION
Annual Address by the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator
1:00 PM House Resources
HB 367 NATIVE CORP. LIABILITY FOR CONTAMINATION TELECONFERENCED
3:30 PM Senate Resources
SB 202 NATIVE CORP. LIABILITY FOR CONTAMINATION
Tuesday Feb. 27
8:00 AM House Community and Regional Affairs
Presentation: Arts & Culture and its Importance to Our Economy by Dr. Rosita Worl
10 AM House Fisheries HB 272 TANGLE LAKES STATE GAME REFUGE
Public Testimony
HB 386 VESSELS: REGISTRATION/TITLES; DERELICTS
11:30 AM House Arctic Policy, Economic Development and Tourism Committee
HJR 33 DEVELOP ARCTIC INFRASTRUCTURE & DEFENSE
3:15 PM House State Affairs
HB 184 DISCRIMINATION: GENDER ID.;SEXUAL ORIENT.
Public Testimony
3:30 PM Senate Community and Regional Affairs
SB 203 AIDEA: BONDS FOR GRAPHITE CREEK PROJECT
Wednesday Feb 28
1:30 PM Senate Judiciary
SB 173 LIABILITY: PESTICIDES & UTILITY POLES
3:15 PM House Labor and Commerce
HB 277 BROADBAND INTERNET: NEUTRALITY/REGULATION
3:30 PM Senate Resources
Alaska Minerals Commission – Overview of Annual Report
6:00 PM House Resources
HB 367 NATIVE CORP. LIABILITY FOR CONTAMINATION
Public Testimony
Thursday, Feb. 29
10:15 AM House Energy
HB 374 ON-BILL FINANCING OF ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS
Public Testimony
12:00 PM Senate Natural Resources Finance SubCommittee
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority – Committee Questions
1:00 PM House Resources HCR 23
PROTECT WILDLIFE FROM FOREIGN PATHOGENS
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