Alaska § 44.99.115 - Declaration of state energy policy.

§ 44.99.115. Declaration of state energy policy.

The State of Alaska recognizes that the state's economic prosperity is dependent on available, reliable, and affordable residential, commercial, and industrial energy to supply the state's electric, heating, and transportation needs. The state also recognizes that worldwide supply and demand for fossil fuels and concerns about global climate change will affect the price of fossil fuels consumed by Alaskans and exported from the state to other markets. In establishing a state energy policy, the state further recognizes the immense diversity of the state's geography, cultures, and resource availability. Therefore, it is the policy of the state to        (1) institute a comprehensive and coordinated approach to supporting energy efficiency and conservation by             (A) encouraging statewide energy efficiency codes for new and renovated residential, commercial, and public buildings;

 (B) decreasing public building energy consumption through conservation measures and energy-efficient technologies; and

 (C) initiating and supporting a program to educate state residents on the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation, including dissemination of information on state and federal programs that reward energy efficiency;

 (2) encourage economic development by             (A) promoting the development of renewable and alternative energy resources, including geothermal, wind, solar, hydroelectric, hydrokinetic, tidal, and biomass energy, for use by Alaskans;

 (B) promoting the development, transport, and efficient use of nonrenewable and alternative energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, gas hydrates, heavy oil, and nuclear energy, for use by Alaskans and for export;

 (C) working to identify and assist with development of the most cost-effective, long-term sources of energy for each community statewide;

 (D) creating and maintaining a state fiscal regime and permitting and regulatory processes that encourage private sector development of the state's energy resources; and

 (E) promoting the efficiency of energy used for transportation;

 (3) support energy research, education, and workforce development by investing in             (A) training and education programs that will help create jobs for Alaskans and that address energy conservation, efficiency, and availability, including programs that address workforce development and workforce transition; and

 (B) applied energy research and development of alternative and emerging technologies, including university programs, to achieve reductions in state energy costs and stimulate industry investment in the state;

 (4) coordinate governmental functions             (A) by reviewing and streamlining regulatory processes and balancing the economic costs of review with the level of regulation necessary to protect the public interest;

 (B) by using one office or agency, as may be specified by law, to serve as a clearinghouse in managing the state's energy-related functions to avoid fragmentation and duplication and to increase effectiveness; and

 (C) by actively collaborating with federal agencies to achieve the state's energy goals and to meet emissions, renewable and alternative energy, and energy production targets.