Bill > SB285

This bill establishes the Rural Energy Infrastructure Organization (REIO) as a division of the Alaska Energy Authority to plan, finance, develop, own, operate, and maintain electric transmission and generation facilities in rural priority areas, which are defined as areas in the unorganized borough that are expected to have significant energy demand from an "anchor tenant" (an entity with substantial and sustained energy needs) and are not connected to the main transmission system. The bill also expands the Alaska affordable energy fund to specifically support energy infrastructure in these rural communities and increases the number of public members on the Alaska Energy Authority's board of directors to include individuals with expertise relevant to rural energy development. A new advisory body composed of seven members with diverse experience in rural energy, Alaska Native corporations, non-profits, and anchor tenants will advise the board on project selection and strategic development, while a dedicated Rural Energy Infrastructure Fund will be established to support the organization's activities. The bill also clarifies that contracts related to power projects managed by the REIO are exempt from certain standard contract requirements applicable to other Alaska Energy Authority projects, and it sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

Finance (Senate)

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB285