Conservation Watch #15 1/19/2010

In this issue

Welcome back to the 26th

Legislative Priorities

Omnibus Energy Bills

Social Media

This Week in Committee

Prefiles to watch

Bills Held Over

Welcome to the second half of the 26th Legislative Session

The final session of the 26th Legislature has arrived. We expect this to be a very interesting year. Up-coming elections along with a fast and furious 90 day legislative marathon will add to the fun.

With the ongoing concerns over the economy, jobs, and the environment, energy for Alaskans is still very much on Alaskans' minds - voters and legislators. Alaska Conservation Voters has been ahead of the curve on this vital issue with its selection of priority legislation. Our three priority bills – bills that promote Energy Efficiency, Emerging Energy Technology and Public Transportation – all address the imperative and advantage of wise energy use.

We look forward to continuing that very important conversation in 2010.

Alaska Conservation Alliance Environmental Priority Legislation

ACV continues it’s priorities from last year, Energy Efficiency, Emerging Energy Technology and Public Transportation as all three priorities were introduced as bills in 2009, Two moved as far as the Senate Finance Committee and are now poised for consideration and action when the session starts today. A third was off to a slow start but is likely to get more attention this year.

This is the second round of the two-year legislative cycle. Any bills not passed this session die and will not be held over to the next.

Senate Bill 121, Energy Efficiency, was introduced by the Senate Resources Committee. Alaska has yet to do much to address the demand side of its energy equation. With the passage of SB 121 the state can begin a base-line study on the energy efficiency of its public buildings.

This index will point to facilities most in need of weatherization and efficiency upgrades, where the state can most save taxpayersʼ money.

The bill will also allow state agencies to avoid at least some of the biggest front-end costs by entering into performance-based contracts with energy companies such as Siemens for necessary retrofits and upgrades. It also sets important goals for statewide efficiency levels.

Senate Bill 150, Emerging Technology, was introduced by Sen. Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage). In order for Alaska to be part of what many are calling the next industrial revolution in energy innovation and address unique challenges Alaska needs to create an “Emerging Energy Technology Development Fund.” Establishing an Emerging Technology Fund is also necessary to help grow our cutting edge University programs and create a highly valued workforce. Unlike any other place in the nation, Alaska can demonstrate new technology and save consumers money at the same time because energy prices in rural communities are already so high. And, some of what we learn may be exportable to others around the globe.

Senate Bill 152, Regional Transit Authority, was introduced by Sen. Charlie Huggins (R-Wasilla). Currently there are limited public transportation options between the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. A Regional Transit Authority is the entity to develop an optimal transportation solution to decrease the cost of travel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and cut down congestion on the Glenn Highway. It could also facilitate sensible local transportation development in other parts of Alaska. This bill was in the works for most of last session but is now ready for committee review.

House and Senate Omnibus Energy Bills: a Preview

 The 2009 - 2010 interim was a busy one for the Alaska Conservation Voters, as the Legislature focused its attention on solutions to Alaskan’s energy challenges and opportunities. Stakeholders from multiple constituencies, including conservation, economic and resource development, consumer protection, non-profit, and utility representatives were convened by the House Special Committee on Energy to begin work on an Alaska Energy Policy. The purpose of this bill is to develop a statewide energy policy that provides a basis for a long-term energy vision, and a comprehensive and coordinated approach to energy development in Alaska.

The Senate also has been busy. Meeting over the summer interim was the Senate Energy Policy Group, made up of members from the Senate Energy and Resources Committees. The Group released in October its list of energy policies and programs that may be considered during the 2010 session.

Both House and Senate Energy Committees are expected to release their own energy omnibus bill based on research and public meetings during the summer interim. These committee-sponsored bills can be introduced after the session starts today.

Draft language of the House bill covers a variety of energy issues including the Renewable Energy Grant fund and the creation of the Emerging Energy Technology fund, energy efficiency codes for specific buildings, a renewable energy production tax credit, and a department of energy.

All three Voters priority bills were included in the list that is being called the State Energy Policy and Programs Recommendations. The list guided the Senate’s efforts to draft energy omnibus legislation which is scheduled to be introduced Wednesday at 3:30pm.

Social Media

Tweets, blogs and Facebook Friends: ACV will work within social media to track and comment on 26th legislative session, faster than ever.

Along with the weekly Conservation Watch, Alaska Conservation Voters and its sister organization Alaska Conservation Alliance will embrace the healthy and growing online social media scene to bring you timely, relevant environmentally-focused updates on the legislative process.

Follow our regular legislative updates on www.acvoters.org and www.akvoice.org, Facebook, and Twitter.

This Week in Committee

 While Legislators and staff get settled into a cold, wet Juneau this week committee meetings will remain relatively light. However, a major meeting to watch is the introduction of the Senate Omnibus Energy Bill. The committee bill is scheduled for Senate Resources on Wednesday at 3pm in Butrovich 205. Alaska Conservation Voters will be on scene to comment on the hearing live (see below).

Governor Sean Parnell will also give the Annual State of the State address this week, Wednesday, January 20 at 7pm in the House Chamber.

Governor Parnell released his proposed budget in December of last year, a budget which the governor said focuses on constitutional mandates for spending – on education, public safety, transportation and resource development. This week an overview of the governor's budget is scheduled for House Finance Committee, Friday, January 22, 1:30pm, room 519.

Prefiles

First Prefile, January 8

HB 249 - Rep. Reggie Joule D-Kotzebue - Relating to the regulations adopted by the Big Game Commercial Services Board and to the definition of "transportation services" in relation to big game hunting.

HB 250 – Rep. Mike Kelly R-Fairbanks and Rep. David Guttenberg D-Fairbanks - Relating to the repeal of the establishment of the Goldstream Public Use Area.

HB 261 – Rep. Wes Keller R-Wasilla - Requiring the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to publish on the Department's Internet website reports regarding contracts awarded for transportation projects.

HB 264 – Rep. Jay Ramras R-Fairbanks - Relating to the right-of-way for, and a state property tax exemption concerning a pipeline transporting oil produced on the outer continental shelf to an established pipeline in the state.

HB 267 – Rep. Mike Kelly R-Fairbanks and Rep. Mark Neuman R-Wasilla - Relating to travel by snow machine within five miles of the right of way of the James Dalton Highway.

HJR 36 – Rep. Jay Ramras R-Fairbanks - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska authorizing a contractual limitation on taxes related to the production of gas for the purpose of providing fiscal certainty for the construction of a natural gas pipeline.

SB 195 – Sen. Bill Thomas R-Haines - Relating to the repeal of the establishment of the Goldstream Public Use Area.

SB 200 – Sen. Fred Dyson R-Eagle River - Relating to and permitting certain uses and occupancies of real property that do not comply with changes made to municipal land use ordinances.

SB 203 – Sen. Hollis French D-Anchorage and Sen. Bill Wielechowski D-Anchorage - Relating to a tax credit for a facility to store Cook Inlet gas for sale and delivery in the state; relating to an exemption from the oil and gas exploration, production and pipeline transportation property tax for a facility that stores Cook Inlet gas for sale and delivery in the state; and providing for an effective date.

SB 205 – Sen. Bill Weilechowski D-Anchorage and Sen. Hollis French D-Anchorage - Relating to the power of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to fix rates after an investigation and hearing.

SB 208 – Sen. Bill Wielechowski D-Anchorage - Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to evaluate current incentives and recommend additional incentives that would increase gas exploration, development and production in the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin; and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to evaluate the means by which the department may explore for, purchase and sell natural gas in newly proved reserves in the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin.

SB 212 – Sen. Dennis Egan D-Juneau - Authorizing municipalities to designate energy improvements areas and to establish energy improvements programs and relating to those programs.

Second Prefile, January 15

 HB 276 – Rep. Peggy Wilson R-Wrangell - Amending the description of parcels within the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park; and providing for an effective date.

HB 278 – Rep. Chris Tuck D-Anchorage - Relating to the administration of the Alaska energy efficient home grant fund by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

HB 279 – Rep. Pete Petersen D-Anchorage, Rep. Chris Tuck D-Anchorage, Rep. Les Gara D-Anchorage - Relating to the power of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to adjust a rate charged or to be changed by a public utility that is a commercial enterprise operating for profit when the commission determines that the rate or a factor affecting that rate compensates for a utility's negligent conduct, recklessness, or intentional violation of a law.

HB 280 – Rep. Mike Hawker R-Anchorage and Rep. Mike Chenault R-Nikiski - Relating to natural gas; relating to a gas storage facility; relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to the participation by the attorney general in a matter involving the approval of a rate or a gas supply contract; relating to an income tax credit for a gas storage facility; relating to oil and gas production tax credits; relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; relating to production tax credits for certain losses and expenditures, including exploration expenditures; relating to the powers and duties of the director of the division of lands and to lease fees for the storage of gas on state land; and providing for an effective date.

HB 281 – Rep. Charisse Millett R-Anchorage - Relating to the duties of the commissioner of fish and game and to the interest of the Board of Game in public safety as it relates to game.

HB 289 – Rep. Max Gruenberg D-Anchorage - Authorizing state agencies to pay private legal fees and costs incurred by persons exonerated of alleged Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act violations; allowing certain public officers and former public officers to accept state payments to offset private legal fees and costs related to defending against an Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act complaint; and creating certain exceptions to Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act limitations on the use of state resources to provide or pay for transportation of spouses and children of the governor and the lieutenant governor.

Bills held over the interim