Bill > HB369

This bill aims to advance Alaska's energy policy by setting ambitious goals for energy efficiency and the use of diversified energy sources, with a target of 15% increased energy efficiency per capita by 2036 and 40% of electricity generated from diversified sources by the same year, while also working to ensure a reliable in-state natural gas supply and reduce electricity costs to the national average by 2040. It introduces specific regulations for portable solar generation devices, exempting those under 1,200 watts that meet safety standards from utility interconnection and net metering requirements, though utilities can require simple registration. The bill also allows electric utilities to sell excess renewable energy at a discounted "economic development rate" and permits electric cooperative utilities to recover costs for renewable energy and battery storage projects under 15,000 kilowatts. Furthermore, it mandates that integrated resource plans, which utilities use to plan for future energy needs, must include options for meeting the new "diversified portfolio standard," a requirement for load-serving entities (entities that supply electricity to customers) to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from diversified energy resources, which include renewable energy, nuclear energy, and specific types of natural gas. The bill also modifies the definition of "large energy facility" to include certain energy storage and reactive compensation devices and clarifies that projects generating electricity from diversified energy resources that help meet the diversified portfolio standard may not require pre-approval. It also updates the state energy policy to encourage investments in home energy efficiency, support the development of renewable and alternative energy resources including geologic hydrogen, and promote the state's innovation ecosystem. Finally, it adjusts reporting deadlines for energy grant applications and assigns the Department of Environmental Conservation the duty to designate diversified energy resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Energy (House)

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB369