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

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.”