House Bill 153: Alaska’s Opportunity to Set a Renewable Portfolio Standard

In late March, we got exciting news out of Juneau when Representative Holland introduced HB 153, a Renewable Portfolio Standard. We have worked alongside our partners in advocating for a Renewable Portfolio Standard for years, and we were thrilled to see it get its first two hearings this week. Sign our petition to support a Renewable Portfolio Standard for Alaska! 

A Renewable Portfolio Standard is a tool used in many states to require utilities to get a certain portion of their energy from renewable sources – and this is a critical moment for Alaska to set these standards for several reasons. First, we need to create market certainty in otherwise uncertain times. Renewable energy developers don’t want to take unnecessary risk in coming to Alaska to build projects if they are not sure that utilities will purchase their power. 

Second, given the current realities of the gas shortage in Cook Inlet, utilities will have to start importing gas soon in order to continue to meet electric demand. Our utilities should build an independent energy system that will not fluctuate with the global gas market and harm the most vulnerable ratepayers. The current proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard would help us achieve that and the goals can be easily met by staying on track with the current direction of the utilities. 

Beyond concerns about our climate and environment, a Renewable Portfolio Standard is the best economic pathway for the Alaska railbelt. This policy will provide future generations with opportunities to live and raise families here by working to secure a stable cost-of-living for our communities. 

We’ll keep our members updated on opportunities to testify at the legislature, but also invite you to directly engage with your electric cooperatives. Last year, Chugach Electric passed a resolution in support of a Renewable Portfolio Standard. For those in the Chugach Electric district, the next meeting is Wednesday, April 9 at 4:00 pm, where the Board has indicated it will discuss the Renewable Portfolio Standard in greater detail. Sign up here to attend virtually or attend in person at 5601 Electron Drive in Anchorage.