Talk of energy in Alaska has been pretty quiet the last few weeks with the focus mainly on oil taxes. We won’t talk about that here because the local news outlets have done a great job of covering the debate. If you want to read more about it, here are a few articles to check out:
$5 billion oil investment ‘pledge’ is oversold, overplayed
Alaska oil tax myths, surprise, remain busted
Last week, the House Finance committee heard a bill that would extend the Renewable Energy Grant Fund administered by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). The fund (one that we’ve strongly supported over the years) provides grants for small scale renewable energy projects and is widely considered a success. The new bill, House Bill 250, would extend the program until 2023 and allocate $50 million annually. “By 2013 the program will be displacing 3.5 million gallons (of fuel) annually with total savings for the program of around $6 million” said Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency Deputy Director Peter Crimp.
Governor Parnell and legislators from Interior Alaska met last week to find common ground on energy solutions for Fairbanks. Participants created a list of short-, medium-, and long-term projects and discussed a variety of topics including home energy rebates, natural gas, renewable energy and heating fuel energy relief. The general consensus, from Gov. Parnell’s recent press conference, is to pursue a natural gas solution for the area.
A recent study, released by Commonwealth North, found that nearly 80% of rural communities in Alaska depend on diesel fuel and that some of these communities spend up to 47% of their income on energy. The report recommends investments to energy efficiencies, hybrid systems to incorporate renewable energies, and transmission grids as a way to reduce costs to both the State and individual Alaskans. The report also calls for ‘a statewide entity to coordinate energy generation and transmission’.
Lastly, congratulations to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for being recognized as an Energy Star Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency! As an Energy Star Leader they improved building efficiency for all of their buildings by at least 10 percent or consistently had their buildings rank in the top 25 percent for efficient energy use. The Mat-Su School District was among 10 school districts in the Pacific Northwest, and the only one in Alaska, to be named.
Some items to put on your calendar:
March 10th and 11th- Juneau- Free Hands-On Workshop: Energy Efficient Improvements. For more info: http://www.achpalaska.com
March 14th- REAP Forum: Biomass in Alaska. For more info: www.alaskarenewableenergy.org
April 19-20th- 2012 Business of Clean Energy in Alaska Conference. For more info: http://www.BCEAconference.com
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