Bill > HB196

This bill modifies Alaska's Renewable Energy Grant Fund and carbon offset revenue allocation by making several key changes. The legislation requires the legislature to appropriate 20 percent of carbon offset revenue to the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, with the remaining 80 percent available for other public purposes. The bill expands the fund's purpose to provide affordable energy to all communities in the state and allows the Alaska Energy Authority more direct control over grant administration. Specifically, the authority can now directly make determinations about grant-eligible projects, provide technical assistance to small communities in preparing applications, and annually solicit and review grant applications, rather than just making recommendations to the legislature. The bill also clarifies qualifying criteria for renewable energy and natural gas projects, such as projects that serve communities with populations under 10,000 or link renewable energy infrastructure. Additionally, the bill establishes new governance rules for the advisory committee, including a two-year rotating chair position. The changes aim to streamline the grant process, provide more flexible funding for energy projects, and support energy development in smaller Alaskan communities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB196