Press Release: The Alaska Center and Alaska Public Interest Research Group Celebrate Signing of the Save Act, SB 152

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ANCHORAGE, AK – The Alaska Center and Alaska Public Interest Research Group, two statewide nonprofit organizations, joined Governor Dunleavy and Senator Wielechowski for the signing of Senate Bill 152, “Saving Alaskans money with Voluntary community Energy,” (SAVE Act) into law onTuesday, August 13. The signing took place at the future site of Chugach Electric’s community solar program, which will begin accepting participants next year. 

Community energy is a model in which a group of people invest in and share the benefits of an energy installation (such as a solar array) that is not located on their property. This model allows renters, small businesses, and other individuals who cannot host a rooftop solar array, to own shares of a larger solar facility. These subscribers then receive savings on their monthly electric bills.

“We are thrilled to see Community Energy signed into law today,” said Chantal de Alcuaz, Co-Executive Director, The Alaska Center. “Alaskans need access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy, whether or not they are homeowners. At the same time, we have an urgent need to diversify our grid, and allow new energy generation projects to come online by any means possible. Large and small scale Community Energy programs will get us one step closer to an equitable energy landscape for all Alaskans.” 

With growing concerns around the Cook Inlet natural gas crisis, Alaskan utilities are looking to diversify their energy sources with renewables. Most Alaskans support solar and renewable energy development, but most Alaskans have not been able to personally benefit from constructing distributed energy like rooftop solar. 

The private sector has already made financing commitments to invest $5 billion in community solar throughout the country. This legislation ensures that these investments can be made in Alaska, bringing much-needed public infrastructure and clean energy development to our state. 

“The passage of the SAVE Act sends a clear message that Alaska is open for business,” said Phil Wight, Energy Policy Expert at AKPIRG. “This legislation ensures that Alaskans can invest in the cheapest, cleanest sources of power at a pivotal moment for Alaska’s energy transition. Community energy will not only diversify energy supply as we face a looming gas crisis, it will provide clean power for our increasingly electrified economy. With SB152 signed into law, we can start building a new generation of clean energy facilities and create a new environment of energy prosperity for Alaskans.” 

STATEMENT: Utility Board Election Turnout Reflects Community Commitment to Clean Energy

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Statement: May 25, 2023
Utility Board Election Turnout Reflects Community Commitment to Clean Energy 
This year, Chugach Utility member-owners voted in record-breaking numbers, largely in support of candidates who ran on a campaign of renewable energy solutions to the gas crisis and increased transparency in board decision-making. 15.7% of eligible voters turned out – a 30% increase from last year. The Chugach Electric Board elections are consequential because, as the state’s largest utility, they can drastically change Alaska’s renewable energy landscape. The Alaska Center, with the help of a committee of local volunteers and energy experts, endorsed three candidates on a renewable energy slate: Shaina Kilcoyne, Susanne Fleek-Green, and Jim Nordlund. Of these candidates, Jim Nordlund and Susanne Fleek-Green will join the board of directors to fight for a clean energy future for Chugach members. 
“This year’s Chugach Electric Association utility board elections demonstrate that CEA ratepayers want decisive, urgent action to add more clean energy to the grid. We are elated by the election of two of our endorsed candidates to the Board of Directors. And we hope the entire Board of Directors will honor the message of its member-owners: address the climate crisis, capitalize on unprecedented federal funding opportunities, and expand low-cost renewable power generation options. 
We are equally excited about the tremendous voter turn out in this election. At The Alaska Center we believe that every Alaskan should have a voice in deciding their leadership; be it state, local or utility cooperative. The record-breaking turnout shows a growing wave of people invested in the transparency and direction of the utility cooperatives producing their energy.” Chantal De Alcuaz, Co-Executive Director, The Alaska Center
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