Environment in Alaska | MyRepTracker

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 195: An Act relating to slow onset disasters; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act.

SB 195 amends Alaska's Disaster Act to specifically address "slow onset disasters," such as gradual climate impacts (e.g., coastal erosion, permafrost thaw). It requires the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to include climate-related slow disasters in the state emergency plan and identify mitigation strategies for them. The bill directs the agency to seek input from climate scientists and community leaders when developing these plans. It affects state agencies, local governments, and communities vulnerable to long-term climate-related hazards, updating existing disaster planning to better address evolving climate risks.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

in committee · Alaska · House May 14, 2025

HB 6: An Act restricting fiduciary actions by a fiduciary of a state fund, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board that have the purpose of furthering social, political, or ideological interests.

HB 6 prohibits Alaska's state retirement funds, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation from making investment decisions intended to advance social, political, or ideological goals. Specifically, it bans actions like divesting from companies over climate policies, restricting investments based on diversity initiatives, limiting access to abortion or gender-affirming care, or avoiding firearm-related businesses. The bill defines prohibited actions as those "committing to" reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enforcing diversity criteria, divesting over environmental standards, or restricting firearm industry investments. These restrictions apply to all investment decisions by the affected boards, overriding any voluntary efforts to align portfolios with such interests. The bill directly affects how Alaska's public retirement and permanent funds manage investments.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Climate Change Women's Health

passed both · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

HJR 15: Urging the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, division of forestry and fire protection, the Department of Public Safety, municipalities of the state and relevant wildfire planning and response agencies, and the Alaska delegation in Congress to prepare for the 2025 wildfire season.

HJR 15 is a non-binding legislative resolution urging Alaska agencies and communities to prepare for the 2025 wildfire season. It directs the Governor, Department of Natural Resources (forestry/fire division), public safety agencies, municipalities, and the Alaska congressional delegation to review wildfire response plans, improve water access for firefighting, inspect roads for evacuation routes, and expand public education programs like Firewise USA and Ready, Set, Go! The resolution specifically targets high-risk areas including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kenai, where climate-driven dry conditions and new wildfire risks require proactive measures. It emphasizes concrete steps like pre-season drills, fuel reduction, and enhanced early detection systems to reduce response costs and community vulnerability.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

passed both · Alaska · House Jun 17, 2026

HJR 18: Supporting and recognizing the importance of a natural gas pipeline project in the state; and urging the federal government to take all necessary actions to expedite the state natural gas pipeline project.

HJR 18 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature expressing support for the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. It recognizes the project as critical for Alaska’s economy, U.S. energy independence, and national security, and urges federal officials - including President Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant agencies - to expedite approvals and coordination for the project. The resolution highlights that the project would create high-paying jobs, generate long-term revenue, and provide a direct energy corridor for global LNG exports without relying on adversarial nations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact policy but formally advocates for federal action to advance the project.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

passed both · Alaska · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SJR 12: Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center stations.

This joint resolution (SJR 12) urges the U.S. Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address recurring outages of National Data Buoy Center weather and ocean monitoring stations in Alaska. It specifically highlights critical failures of the Seal Rocks Buoy in Prince William Sound, which provides essential real-time wave height data used by the Coast Guard to safely manage oil tanker traffic through Hinchinbrook Entrance. The resolution emphasizes that current backup buoys are also unreliable, forcing reliance on subjective ship reports during hazardous conditions and increasing safety risks for tankers, crews, and the environment. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests federal action to restore these vital infrastructure systems.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 120: An Act establishing the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission; and relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission.

SB 120 establishes the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission within the Governor's Office to address climate impacts. The commission consists of 15 members: six department heads (including fish and game, environmental conservation, and natural resources officials) and nine municipal representatives appointed by the governor - one from each of nine designated Alaska regions (e.g., Northwest Alaska, Anchorage, Southeast Alaska). It requires the commission to elect co-chairs (one departmental, one municipal representative) and will develop strategies to protect communities, the economy, traditional lifestyles, wildlife, and ecosystems threatened by climate change. The bill focuses on creating this advisory body, not specific policy actions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Wildlife

passed · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

SSCR 1: Disapproving Executive Order No. 136.

This bill (SSCR 1) formally disapproves Governor's Executive Order No. 136, which proposed creating a new Department of Agriculture by transferring agricultural functions from the Department of Natural Resources. The resolution directly affects the governor's ability to implement this reorganization, as Alaska's constitution requires legislative disapproval within 60 days of a regular session for such orders to be blocked. The key mechanism is the legislature's formal resolution, passed by the Senate (Y32 N28) and approved in a joint session, to prevent the executive order from taking effect. This is a procedural action, not a new policy, and it stops the proposed department restructuring from moving forward.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

All environment bills