Energy Committee Moves Bill to Make Alternative Energy Sources Part of Facility Planning Process

SB 71 Would Require State Planners to Include Future Alternative Energy Potential

JUNEAU – The Senate Special Committee on Energy today took an important step toward ensuring state facilities planners consider alternative energy technology when designing new public facilities or remodeling existing buildings.

The bill, SB 71, was introduced by Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole to support the efforts of the Legislature and the administration to develop and use alternative energy sources wherever possible. Therriault said he appreciated the interest shown in moving the bill forward by Sen. Lesil McGuire, the chairwoman of the Energy committee.

“Public facilities are certainly large consumers of energy in every community in the state, so it is important that we lead the way to accommodate the use of alternative energy,” Therriault said. “This bill does not mandate that new state facilities must use alternatives, but it would require that they be designed to allow for the possible use of alternative fuels without significant retrofitting.”

“In addition, a large state facility or school as the base user of alternative energy in a community would bring the price down to a more reasonable level for homes, businesses, and other smaller quantity users. It would also likely generate jobs for local residents.”

SB 71 has a next referral to the Resources committee.

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