Energy (Renewable Energy) in Alaska

passed · Alaska · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 250: An Act relating to data centers; and relating to utility service for data centers.

This bill requires utilities in Alaska to enter into approved contracts with data centers for electricity and gas service, ensuring all infrastructure and operational costs specific to the data center are directly assigned to it without increasing costs for other customers. Contracts must include detailed cost breakdowns, backup power plans prioritizing renewable energy (limiting fossil fuel use to emergencies), and community benefit agreements with local municipalities before construction begins. The bill prohibits utilities from including data center-related costs in general rates unless recovered solely from the data center, and requires transmission infrastructure built for data centers to be excluded from shared cost allocations unless later used for other customers. These provisions aim to clarify cost responsibility, protect ratepayers, and promote environmental standards for data center utility services.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Transmission

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 312: An Act relating to a state energy policy; relating to the green energy grant fund; and providing for an effective date.

HB 312 establishes a green energy grant fund in Alaska by directing 20% of revenue from the state's carbon offset program into it. The fund finances new renewable energy projects, including hydroelectric facilities, direct renewable energy use, and hydrogen fuel cell projects powered by renewable resources, with priority given to projects in areas where average energy costs exceed the state average. It also sets loan terms for eligible projects (up to 50 years) and requires interest rates to be at least 3% below standard rates (but not below 1%). The fund must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing grant applications and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 369: An Act relating to energy; relating to regulation of residential solar energy generation and portable solar generation devices; relating to generation of electricity from diversified energy resources; relating to a diversified portfolio standard; relating to costs incurred by certain electric utilities for renewable energy and battery energy storage; relating to preapproval for large energy facilities; relating to the renewable energy grant fund; relating to the duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation; relating to the state energy policy; and providing for an effective date.

HB 369 sets statewide energy goals, including achieving 40% renewable electricity by 2036 and reducing Alaska's average electricity costs to the national average by 2040. The bill directly affects residential solar users by exempting small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from utility interconnection rules, provided they meet safety standards like National Electrical Code compliance and include outage safety features. Utilities cannot require approval, charge fees, or demand extra equipment for these devices, though simple registration is allowed. This provision aims to lower barriers for homeowners using portable solar to offset their electricity use.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 91: An Act relating to clean energy project development licenses and leases of state land for clean energy projects.

SB 91 streamlines land access for clean energy projects on Alaska state land by modifying survey requirements for leases and licenses. It waives certain official land survey and monumentation rules when land is offered for clean energy project development licenses under existing law (AS 38.05.410), reducing administrative barriers for developers. The bill specifically applies to projects seeking state land leases or licenses for clean energy infrastructure, excluding agricultural land and short-term leases. This is a procedural change to land conveyance rules, not a new energy policy or funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Public Lands

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 196: An Act relating to carbon offset revenue; and relating to the renewable energy grant fund.

HB 196 directs 20% of revenue from Alaska's carbon offset program to the renewable energy grant fund, replacing a prior placeholder. This fund supports renewable energy projects (like solar, wind, or natural gas infrastructure) across the state, with priority given to communities where average energy costs exceed the statewide average. The bill also requires technical assistance for small communities (under 2,000 residents) to apply for grants and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grant decisions. It updates existing law to formalize these funding mechanisms and ensure transparency in allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 164: An Act relating to a net metering program; relating to reduced rates in the form of credits for consumer-generators; establishing a net metering reimbursement fund; and providing for an effective date.

HB 164 establishes a net metering program for Alaska's small renewable energy systems. It requires utilities serving over 5 million kWh annually to provide monthly credits for excess electricity generated by consumer-generators (residential or small commercial customers with systems ≤25 kW), at standard retail rates. Credits roll over annually until March 31, after which unused credits expire. The bill also creates a reimbursement fund to help utilities recover revenue losses from the program, ensuring the policy is financially sustainable for utilities while supporting renewable energy adoption.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 150: An Act relating to a net metering program; relating to reduced rates in the form of credits for consumer-generators; establishing a net metering reimbursement fund; and providing for an effective date.

SB 150 establishes a net metering program for Alaska residents and businesses with small renewable energy systems (up to 25 kilowatts) that generate electricity for their own use, such as rooftop solar. It requires qualifying electric utilities (with over 5 million kilowatt-hours in annual sales) to provide monthly credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid at the standard retail rate, with credits valid for one year until March 31. Utilities can seek reimbursement for revenue losses from net metering through a new fund established by the legislature. The bill directly affects consumer-generators and large electric utilities in Alaska, creating a structured framework for renewable energy credits.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 149: An Act relating to generation of electricity from renewable energy resources; relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to power cost equalization; and providing for an effective date.

This bill establishes new renewable energy requirements for utilities in Alaska. It requires load-serving entities (utilities) to generate or procure 40% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 55% by 2035. The bill includes a specific incentive: wind energy projects operational before 2033 count as 1.25 times their actual megawatt hours toward meeting the target. These changes modify existing utility regulations to prioritize renewable energy adoption while maintaining grid reliability standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Renewable Energy Wind

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 32: An Act relating to costs incurred by certain electric utilities for renewable energy and battery energy storage.

SB 32 allows certain electric cooperatives in Alaska to include costs for small-scale renewable energy projects (under 15,000 kilowatts) and battery storage systems in their utility rates, provided the projects are approved by the utility's board. It specifically covers facilities using geothermal, wind, solar, hydro, tidal, biomass, or other renewable energy sources. The bill directly affects electric cooperatives organized under Alaska law that participate in utility reliability organizations. This change enables these utilities to recover eligible costs through customer rates rather than bearing them entirely themselves.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

in committee · Alaska · House May 8, 2025

HB 153: An Act relating to generation of electricity from renewable energy resources; relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to power cost equalization; and providing for an effective date.

HB 153 requires utilities to include renewable energy options in their integrated resource plans, ensuring these plans evaluate cost-effective ways to meet customer needs while advancing renewable energy goals. It prohibits new "large energy facilities" (like major power plants or transmission lines) if they would hinder a utility’s ability to meet Alaska’s renewable portfolio standard. The bill also exempts renewable energy projects from preapproval requirements, streamlining their development. This directly affects utilities and developers by mandating renewable consideration in planning and reducing barriers for clean energy projects. The law aims to accelerate renewable electricity generation without altering existing renewable energy definitions or standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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