The Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team (CAALT for short) is composed of good people with an impossible mission. They have been given no discernible resources – and they have been asked to meet frequently to come up with a set of policy recommendations on climate change to hand over to a governor in the last few months of his term – a Gov. who may or may not be re-elected and even if elected, may or may not have the political prowess to move any policies through a potentially intransigent legislature. There will obviously be no perfect solution and I would take the CLAAT over no CLAAT any day of the week.
It is problematic that Alaska, unlike many other states, does not have a specific enforceable mandate to reach specific renewable energy and energy efficiency targets by a date certain. This can be achieved through the adoption of a law called a Renewable Portfolio Standard, and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard. This is a critical recommendation that should come out of the leadership team deliberations.
For its part, the AK Legislature this session has been helpful enough to provide some policy recommendations of its own which take stab at climate change. These bills and resolutions are listed below.
HJR 18 – Urging the Alaska delegation in Congress to implement a renewable energy testing program in the state; supporting the development and testing of renewable energy resources in the state; and encouraging entrepreneurs to develop renewable energy projects in the state.
HJR 19 – Commending the Arctic Waterways Safety Committee; supporting the adoption of prevention measures into international agreements to ensure clear, universal, and enforceable marine safety measures in the Arctic; urging the state’s delegation in the United States Congress and the governor to promote the adoption of spill prevention measures into international agreements; and urging the President of the United States and the United States Department of State to initiate negotiations to enter into international agreements to ensure safe and environmentally responsible marine operations in the Arctic.
HB 173 – An Act establishing the Alaska Climate Change Response Commission; relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Climate Change Response Commission; establishing the climate change response fund; and relating to the surcharge on oil produced in the state.
HB 81-An Act making certain entities that are exempt from federal taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), (4), (6), (12), or (19) (Internal Revenue Code), regional housing authorities, and federally recognized tribes eligible for a loan from the Alaska energy efficiency revolving loan fund; relating to loans from the Alaska energy efficiency revolving loan fund; and relating to the annual report published by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.
HB 374 – An Act relating to on-bill financing by an electric or gas distribution utility for certain energy efficiency and conservation improvements
SB 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
SB 191 – An Act relating to the goal of obtaining 50 percent clean energy for the state and state-funded facilities by 2025
Louie Flora, Government Affairs Director
HEARINGS TO WATCH THIS WEEK
Monday, March 19
1:00 PM House Resources
HB 27 HIGH-RISK CHEMICALS FOR CHILD EXPOSURE
— Public Testimony —
HB 272 TANGLE LAKES STATE GAME REFUGE
— Testimony —
1:30 PM House Finance
Presentations:
- Spring 2018 Revenue Forecast by:
- Commissioner Sheldon Fisher, Dept. of Revenue
- Ken Alper, Director, Tax Div., Dept. of Revenue-
- Dan Stickel, Chief Economist, Tax Div., Dept. of Revenue
- Alaska’s Economy by:
- Commissioner Mike Navarre, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
Tuesday, March 20th
8:30 AM Senate Special Committee on the Arctic
HJR 19 ARCTIC MARINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS TELECONFERENCED
— Public Testimony —
9:00 AM Senate Finance
SB 65 JONESVILLE PUBLIC USE AREA
10:00 AM House Fisheries
Confirmation Hearings: Board of Fisheries – Duncan Fields, Orville Huntington
— Public Testimony —
Wednesday, March 21
1:30 PM House Finance
HB 305 OIL/HAZARDOUS SUB.:CLEANUP/REIMBURSEMENT
— Public Testimony —
HB 322 OIL SPILLS/POLLUTION:PENALTIES;PREVENTION
— Public Testimony —
Thursday, March 22
8:00 AM House Community and Regional Affairs
HB 390 RANKED-CHOICE PRIMARY ELECTIONS
10:00 A.M. House Fisheries
Presentation: Pike as an Invasive Species in AK & the Resulting Predation on Salmon Smolt by ADF&G
Friday, March 23
1:00 PM House Resources
Confirmation Hearing: Board of Game
— Public Testimony —
HB 27 HIGH-RISK CHEMICALS FOR CHILD EXPOSURE
— Testimony —
3:30 PM Senate Resources
HB 105 TAKING WOLVES NEAR DENALI PARK;TRAPPING
— Public Testimony —
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