(a) In order to promote the expansion of energy sources available to Alaskans, the emerging energy technology fund is established. The fund consists of
(1) money appropriated to the fund by the legislature to provide grants for energy projects; and
(2) gifts, bequests, contributions from other sources, and federal money appropriated to the fund.
(b) The fund is not a dedicated fund.
(c) The fund shall be administered by the authority, but the authority may contract for the investment of money appropriated to the fund but not disbursed for a grant. The authority, in consultation with the advisory committee established under (f) of this section, may make grants from the fund to eligible applicants for demonstration projects of technologies that have a reasonable expectation to be commercially viable within five years and that are designed to
(1) test emerging energy technologies or methods of conserving energy;
(2) improve an existing energy technology; or
(3) deploy an existing technology that has not previously been demonstrated in the state.
(d) In making grants under this section, the authority, in consultation with the advisory committee established under (f) of this section, shall give priority to
(1) Alaska residents, associations, organizations, or institutions;
(2) projects that demonstrate partnership with the University of Alaska or another Alaska postsecondary institution;
(3) projects supported by matching funds or in-kind partnerships; and
(4) projects with potential for widespread deployment in the state.
(e) In administering the fund, the authority may enter into a contract or agreement with the University of Alaska to provide technical and economic review and analysis for the advisory committee established under (f) of this section and data acquisition and analysis of the projects awarded grants.
(f) An advisory committee is established and consists of seven members. Each member of the committee shall have a degree in science or engineering, or equivalent professional experience, and at least two years of experience working in the state. Members of the committee shall be appointed by the governor to staggered three-year terms. The committee consists of one representative of each of the following groups:
(1) a business or organization engaged in the renewable energy sector;
(2) a business or organization engaged in the fossil fuel energy sector;
(3) the Alaska Power Association or an Alaska electric utility;
(4) the Denali Commission established under P.L. 105-277 and mentioned in a note at 42 U.S.C. 3121;
(5) the National Renewable Energy Laboratory;
(6) the Arctic Energy Office of the National Energy Technology Laboratory;
(7) the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority.
(g) A member of the advisory committee appointed under (f) of this section serves without compensation but is entitled to per diem and travel expenses as provided in AS 39.20.180 .
(h) If a member of the advisory committee appointed under (f)(4), (5), or (6) of this section is not available to serve as a member of the committee, the governor shall appoint a representative from a federal agency or department with a comparable mission or purpose to the agency listed in (f)(4), (5), or (6) of this section to fill the position on the committee. If a representative from a federal agency or department is not available to fill the position, the governor may appoint a member from a state agency or department.
(i) A business or organization represented by a member of the advisory committee under (f) of this section is not eligible to receive a grant from the fund.
(j) In this section,
(1) "eligible applicant" means
(A) an electric utility holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity under AS 42.05;
(B) an independent power producer;
(C) a local government, quasi-governmental entity, or other governmental entity, including a tribal council or housing authority;
(D) a business holding an Alaska business license; or
(E) a nonprofit organization;
(2) "energy technology" means technology that promotes, enhances, or expands the diversity of available energy supply sources or means of transmission, increases energy efficiency, or reduces negative energy-related environmental effects; "energy technology" includes technology related to renewable sources of energy, conservation of energy, enabling technologies, efficient and effective use of hydrocarbons, and integrated energy systems;
(3) "fund" means the emerging energy technology fund.
Section: 42.45.375Last modified: November 15, 2016