Conservation Watch #27 4/13/2010
It's the final countdown. Six days left to pass all the bills that are going to get passed in this final regular session of the 26th Alaska State Legislature. Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats...
In this Issue
Chugach Electric board elections
It's the final countdown. Six days left to pass all the bills that are going to get passed in this final regular session of the 26th Alaska State Legislature. Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats...
Chugach Electric board elections
Have you ever wondered why your electric utility sends out a big envelope once a year? Its not a bill. It contains a full financial reporting of the company, the same kind of thing that you get from some of your stock holdings. This is because, if you live along the railbelt in Alaska you ARE a stockholder in your electrical utility. Golden Valley Electrical Association, Matanuska Electrical Association, Homer Electrical Association, and Chugach Eletric are all member owned Co-Op Utilities. You are a Ratepayer and as a ratepayer and co-op member, you are entitled to cast a vote in the annual Board of Directors election so that the candidate who best represents your positions can represent you and help to direct the organization towards renewable energy use, low cost power generation, and stable rates. Included in that packet you have received is a ballot that must be filled out by the ratepayer (the person in your household who’s name appears on the electric bill) and returned to the utility during the open voting period.
Chugach Electric ratepayers received their ballots in the mail on March 30th. Completed ballots are due back to the utility by April 26th.
Alaska Conservation Alliance, sister organization to Alaska Conservation Voters, enthusiastically supports Susan Reeves and Riki Lebman in their campaigns for the Chugach Electrical Association Board of Directors.
Susan and Riki represent the kind of leadership we as ratepayers need in this trying economic time when energy efficiency represents the potential to save not only the environment, but the ratepayers by working smarter rather than harder to create low cost sources of power generation.
Susan Reeves, an attorney by trade has 25 years of negotiating experience to bring to the board as well as a passion for clean energy and environmentally responsible power generation practices.
Riki Lebman, an Environmental Coordinator for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, has extensive experience with Cook Inlet gas issues and understands the pressing need to diversify power sources and increase the use of renewable resources such as wind and hydro.
The candidates running in opposition of Ms. Reeves and Ms. Lebman do not fully appreciate the advantages of moving towards clean energy solutions. They are willing to take unacceptable risks, such as putting a nuclear plant on Fire Island, which would pose too great a risk to the health and well beings of Chugach members in our wild, Alaskan environment.
Susan and Riki are experienced problem solvers who will work to keep rates low, ensure reliable power, develop renewable resources and encourage efficiency to secure Anchorage's future.
Watch Susan & Riki speak for themselves in their television ad or read the full text of their CEA Candidate Statements. You can visit the Chugach Reliability Group’s website at www.chugach4u.org for further information about the importance of this election.
If you have any questions regard this or other utility board elections, please contact Susanna Orr Political & Outreach Director, Alaska Conservation Voters & Alaska Conservation Alliance at (907) 258-6130 or susanna@akvoice.org.
New Discovery of Methane Release in Arctic Ocean
The climate crisis is caused by the emissions from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. These gases accumulate in the atmosphere, allowing the sun’s energy to enter the atmosphere trapping much of the heat, thus the term “greenhouse gases.” While there are six “greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide-C02, methane-CH4, nitrous oxide-N20, hydroflourocarbons-HFCs, perflourocarbons-PFCs, and sulfur hexaflourides-SF6),” most discussion seems to involve carbon dioxide. Methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas and scientists have been finding more evidence of its affect on climate.
Although the volume of methane released is much smaller than that of carbon dioxide, over a 20-year period it is about 75 times more potent in its ability to trap heat. Carbon dioxide, for the most part, does not interact with other molecules in the atmosphere, whereas methane does. Methane breaks down to water vapor and carbon dioxide, both of which trap heat.
Two scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) are leading a research team exploring the sea floor on the East Siberian Arctic Shelf, has discovered that a vast section of the Arctic Ocean is emitting millions of tons of methane gas. These research results are significant because scientists thought this nearly 800,000-square-mile area was not releasing any methane.
Gradual warming has led to higher sea levels during the past 8,000 years inundating the shallow and previously exposed permafrost-covered shelf. That sea water is warmer than the average air temperature and has therefore led to more permafrost thawing and subsequent methane release, according to Natalia Shakhova, UAF research scientist.
According to the Earth’s geologic record, the current methane levels in the Arctic are at the highest level in 400,000 years. Shakhova said it’s estimated that the amount of methane escaping from the East Siberian Arctic Ice Shelf is comparable to the amount found in the entire world’s oceans.
Methane is released in large amounts as permafrost thaws. Frozen organic material in permafrost decomposes when it thaws, releasing methane under oxygen-free conditions. The work was partially funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation.
While climate warming is disputed in some circles, it is supported by 99 percent of scientists. Carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas, levels are the highest they have been in at least 800,000 years. Isn’t it time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Climate Change / Energy Action
On December 7, 2009, the EPA issued its final finding that the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change constitute a danger to public health and safety. This signals a significant step forward in addressing the climate crisis.
Now U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced a resolution that would block the EPA’s ability to move forward. Her resolution would overturn the basic and established scientific determination that certain pollutants cause global warming and will have serious negative impacts on our health and environment.
Please write/call Senator Lisa Murkowski and ask her to withdraw this resolution (S.J. Res. 26). Ask both senators to support a strong climate change bill in the Senate.
Senator Lisa Murkowski
709 Hart Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Senator Mark Begich
144 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Andy Keller, Climate Change Project Coordinator, Alaska Conservation Alliance at andy@akvoice.org 907-699-2281 www.akvoice.org
weblink: http://tomhewitt.net/sunstar/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/siberiaMap.png
Legislative Potpourri
Geothermal bills
As the end of session draws near, bills are moving quickly in the Alaska State Legislature. On Friday the House Resources Committee heard Senate Bill 243 for the first time. And it abruptly moved it on.
The bill, introduced by Senator Lesil McGuire, will reduce the royalty rate the state charges geothermal energy developers. Currently there are difficult barriers to entry for geothermal power projects in the state, and HB 243 reduces those costs to encourage exploration and development.
There are abundant geothermal resources around Alaska. From interior hot springs to Aleutian volcanoes, the state sits on a great deal of energy. Geothermal power can be used directly as a heat source, or can be used to generate clean, sustainable, renewable electricity.
Small scale projects have already demonstrated Alaska’s great geothermal potential, a potential that has been largely untapped. It is the hope that with SB 243 projects will be deployed as a cheaper energy alternative across rural Alaska, and in a large scale project such as Mt. Spurr to diversify the Railbelt energy portfolio.
SB 243 now moves on to the House Labor and Commerce Committee. It is not yet scheduled for a hearing, but things are moving quickly in Juneau and there are hopes that the bill will move through the entire House and become law by the end of next week.
From the Blog
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
7:35 AM -- Today's Bills to Watch
(S)Finance Standing Committee 9:00 AM in Senate Finance Rm 532
HB 20 Fisheries Loans: Energy Efficiency / Amount [passed (S) Finance, referred to (S) Rules]
HB 306 State Energy Policy [heard and held]
Senate Judiciary Standing Committee 9:15 AM in Butrovich Rm 205
HB 36 Initiatives: Contributions / Procedures [heard and held]
(H)Community & Regional Affairs Standing Committee 9:00 AM Capitol 106
DCCED Overview "Visitor Industry Impact in Alaska"
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
Senate Community & Regional Affairs Standing Committee 3:30 PM Beltz 105 (TSBldg)
Arctic Industrial Activity & Prevention Systems, Informational Hearing
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
Monday, April 12, 2010
9:35 AM -- Big weekend for conservation legislation
Senate Bill 220: Alaska Sustainable Energy Act passed the Senate Saturday afternoon with a unanimous yes vote. The timing allowed the bill to be read on the House Floor and referred to (H) Energy then (H) Finance committees.
SB220 is scheduled to be heard this morning at 10 AM in (H) Energy Committee, Barnes Rm 124.
HB 306 State Energy Policy passed (S) Resources Committee Saturday afternoon. It is now referred to (S) Finance Committee.
HB 20 Fisheries Loans: Energy Efficiency / Amount was heard and held for the first time in Senate Finance this morning. Bill sponsor, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, presented his bill to the committee.
HB 36 Initiatives Contributions Procedures passed the House late in the evening of Sunday, April 11. The vote was 35Y to 5N with No votes from Reps. Sharon Cissna, Harry Crawford, David Guttenberg, Scott Kawasaki, Beth Kerttula
HCR 22 Alaska Northern Waters Task Force passed the House on Saturday, April 10 with a unanimous yet vote. The Senate read the bill the first time on Sunday and referred it to (S) Finance.
Arctic sea ice is depleting, and "the rate of depletion is accelerating...," the resolution reads. This is "altering fish and wildlife habitats" and "is affecting polar route navigation by opening oceans previously frozen year-round..." The opening of the Arctic Ocean has also increased efforts to protect resource interests by other Arctic nations; Russia, Canada, Greenland.
The resolution, sponsored by Community and Regional Affairs committee, should set up a task force to coordinate Alaska and US Arctic interests.
Friday, April 09, 2010
5:51 AM -- Priority Legislation UPDATE
SB 220 passes Senate Finance
A new Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 220: Alaska Sustainable Energy Act was introduced in Senate Finance today. CSSB 220 (FIN) Version B was passed unanimously. The bill has passed its two original referred committees, (S) Resources and (S) Finance.
More information on the (S) Finance Committee substitute to come.
8:32 AM -- Today in Committee
HCR 22: House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear HCR 22 Alaska Northern Waters Task Force at 9:00 AM in House Finance Rm 519. The resolution passed Community and Regional Affairs committee in late March and heard once already in (H) Finance.
Arctic sea ice is depleting, and "the rate of depletion is accelerating...," the resolution reads. This is "altering fish and wildlife habitats" and "is affecting polar route navigation by opening oceans previously frozen year-round..." The opening of the Arctic Ocean has also increased efforts to protect resource interests by other Arctic nations; Russia, Canada, Greenland.
The resolution, sponsored by Community and Regional Affairs committee, should set up a task force to coordinate Alaksa and US Arctic interests.
SB 220: Alaska Sustainable Energy Act. SB220 awaits its next hearing in (S) Finance Committee. The bill was heard in (S) Finance once already, so it could be heard today at either 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM in Senate Finance Rm 532. Keep track of (S) Finance on Twitter or listen at Gavel to Gavel.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
3:10 PM -- Paul Honeman WINS!
We are pleased to congratulate Paul Honeman on his well deserved victory.
Honeman decisively won East Anchorage Assembly Seat H with 51 percent of the vote to Adam Trombly's 45 percent and Thomas Purcell's 4 percent.
ACV looks forward to working closely with him on the assembly for the next three years. Susanna Orr, ACV's Political and Outreach Director will be sitting down with him soon to discuss in greater detail ACV's municipal priorities.
2:17 PM -- ACV Priority Legislation UPDATE
+ Senate Bill 152: Regional Transit Authorities passed Senate Transportation Committee today with a unanimous vote.
The committee approved an amendment by Sen. Joe Paskavan allowing RTA's to work with the Department of Transportation or Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
The bill, sponsored by Sens. Charlie Huggins, Johnny Ellis and Bettye Davis now moves to Senate Finance.
+ Senate Bill 220: Alaska Sustainable Energy Act was not heard today in Senate Finance.
Bill Spotlight
Summary of Bills in motion as of Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Be sure to visit the Conservation Blog for day-to-day updates during the final fast-paced week of the Legislative session
Omni-version omnibus Senate Bill 220
SB 220: Alaska Sustainable Energy Act passes Senate
The Alaska Sustainable Energy Act has passed through a number of versions in the month since the bill passed Senate Resources Committee. It is now in House Finance where it will be heard soon.
While the current version of SB220 looks different than when it was first introduced on January 19th, it is still chock full of solid energy provisions.
- As an example, the first two lines of bill’s title includes the words; Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation, Alternative Energy and Emerging Technology Fund.
- Creates the Emerging Energy Technology Fund (an ACV Environmental Priority). The fund may receive as much as $2.4 million in state funds this year. The bill includes a sunset for this provision in 2015.
- The bill makes a significant commitment to energy efficiency (an ACV Environmental Priority) and creates an energy efficiency revolving loan fund. AS 18.56.855. By using $18 million of what was contentious federal stimulus fund money we can turn it into a $250 million loan fund. Schools, municipalities and the state are eligible for loan funds for energy efficiency improvements to buildings. It allows the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to issue bonds to support these loans.
- Requires the Office of the Governor to submit a report to the legislature regarding the structure of state energy programs. This addresses the state’s existing and complicated energy governance structure.
- Gives Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to the power to provide technical assistance to municipalities regarding energy codes and efficiency standards.
- Expands the Southeast Energy Fund to allow more options for money going into the fund and expands the projects for which the fund may be used.
- Requires DoT/PF to purchase energy efficient cars whenever possible.
- Requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop a standardized methodology to collect and store energy consumption and expense data as described in AS 37.07.040(12)
- Requires the DOT/PF to study using compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel in the state fleet of vehicles, a develop a proposal for a pilot project if warranted.
- Requires the Department of Revenue to submit a report to the legislature regarding the “feasibility of a municipal energy improvements financing program.”
- Allows loans for commercial building upgrades
- Allows the University of Alaska to apply for loans from the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.
- Allows municipal tax exemptions for “certain residential renewable energy systems.” “[a]…system that is used to develop means of energy production using energy sources other than fossil or nuclear fuel, including windmills and water and solar energy devices located in the municipality…
- Makes changes to the state nuclear laws to update them based on recent case law and to “level the playing field” as compared to other energy options. Note that a federal judicial opinion limits state regulation to economic matters, leaving health and safety concerns exclusively to the federal government.
The renewable energy and energy efficiency goals that were in earlier versions of the bill were removed. However, HB 306: State Energy Policy, will be the vehicle for energy policy statements and is now in Senate Finance where it had its first hearing today and is expected to move soon.
A significant change of some concern was the elimination
of a mandate that the Department of Transportation / Public Facilities retrofit at number of Alaska’s public facilities, starting with the least energy efficient. Comments during hearings suggested that this change was made at the request of the Administration. In any event, it appears the state is already heading down this path. We expect that they will take full advantage of new funding and pursue a significant retrofit program for state buildings even without a statutory mandate..
Other changes include:
- AS Sec. 35.10.012 Alternative energy for public works was removed. It would have directed DOT/PF to consider an alternative energy system when constructing a public facility.
- A provision was removed that would have directed the Alaska Energy Authority to facilitate a statewide fuel cooperative.
- The renewable energy production tax credit has been removed. This will probably be revisited next session if it doesn’t get back in this year.
- Elimination of a requirement to conduct a public awareness campaign although education efforts are already underway, as we understand it.
HCR 22 Alaska Northern Waters Task Force passed the House of Representatives on Saturday, April 10 with a unanimous yes vote. It has since been referred to Senate Finance committee.
Arctic sea ice is depleting, and "the rate of depletion is accelerating...," the resolution reads. This is "altering fish and wildlife habitats" and "is affecting polar route navigation by opening oceans previously frozen year-round..." The opening of the Arctic Ocean has also increased efforts to protect resource interests by other Arctic nations; Russia, Canada, Greenland.
The resolution, sponsored by Community and Regional Affairs committee, should set up a task force to coordinate Alaska and US Arctic interests.
The resolution was amended to add two at-large seats to the task force, giving the chance for input to Alaskans who may not live in the Arctic region.
Alaska’s northern waters may get a new state watchdog
HCR 22 on Gavel to Gavel:
http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/new/player.cfm?evid=HCRA100330A (At 47:15 of audio feed)
http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/new/player.cfm?evid=HFLS100410A
HB 36 Initiatives: Contributions / Procedures passed the House of Representatives at approx 9:00 PM on Sunday, April 11 with a final vote of 35Y to 5N. The bill was referred to Senate Judiciary then Senate Finance. It was heard and held today at 9:15 AM in (S) Judiciary. The bill has significantly improved since it was first introduced.
HB 306 State Energy Policy was heard and held today in Senate Finance.
HB 20 Fisheries Loans: Energy Efficiency / Amount an Act relating to commercial fishing loans for energy efficiency upgrades and increasing the maximum amount for certain loans under the Commercial Fishing Loan Act; and providing for an effective date. The bill passed Senate Finance this morning at 9:40 AM without objection.
This Week in Committee
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
(S)Transportation Standing Committee
1:00 PM in Butrovich Rm 205
HB 357 AK Railroad Corp. Land Sales
HJR 42 Const. Am: Transportation Fund <Pending Referral>
TELECONFERENCED
(H)Energy Special Committee
3:00 PM in Barnes Rm 124
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
TELECONFERENCED
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
(S)Judiciary Standing Committee
Apr 14 Wednesday 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
TELECONFERENCED
Thursday, April 15, 2010
(S)Transportation Standing Committee
1:00 PM in Butrovich Rm 205
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
(H)Energy Special Committee
3:00 PM in Barnes Rm 124
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
TELECONFERENCED
Tweet of the Week
##Hello from House Energy. Up today: SB 220 Alaska Sustainable Energy Act. Amendments proposed to add provisions removed from Version O.
##House Energy: SB 220 Alaska Sustainable Energy Act. Amends: Sec. 36.30.323 to consider energy efficient equipment for state contracts.
##House Energy: SB220: amendment #3: Sec. 44.42.067 Retrofits and new construction for energy efficiency; energy efficiency report.
##House Energy. SB 220: Amend #4 Sec. 44.83.080 to allow AEA & AHFC to conduct energy efficiency education.
##House Energy. SB 220 Alaska Sustainable Energy Act: Amendment #2 fails 3 yes to 3 no votes. Amend #3 fails 3 yes to 4 no. Amend #4 up...
##House Energy. SB 220: amendment #4 voted down with 3 yes to 4 no. Amendment #5 adds grains (such as barley) to wood pellets. Amend 5 passes.
##House Energy. SB 220 Amend #8 passes unanimous. Rep. Ramras proposes adding commercial to residential municipal tax credits for RE projects.
##House Energy. Up today: SB 220 Alaska Sustainable Energy Act. SB220 passes w/o objection.
