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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB164

Alaska Net Metering Program and Reimbursement Fund

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a program that gives monthly credits to customers who generate their own renewable electricity up to 25 kilowatts, sets an annual cycle for using those credits, and establishes a fund to help utilities recover costs.

What it does

  • Requires large electric companies called load-serving entities to give monthly credits equal to the value of extra power sent back to the grid by customer-generators.
  • Sets an annual cycle ending March 31 after which any unused credit expires.
  • Allows customers with systems installed before April 1, 2027, to choose this new program or keep their old rates.
  • Creates a reimbursement fund that utilities can use if they lose money because of the net metering credits.
  • Limits how much utility companies can raise rates for regular customers when paying out these credits by allowing rate changes only if losses would otherwise force an increase over two percent annually.

Who it affects

  • Customers who generate their own electricity using solar, wind, or other renewable sources on their property with systems of 25 kilowatts or less.
  • Electric utilities that sell more than five million kilowatt-hours of power per year and are served by an electric reliability organization.
  • The Alaska Energy Authority, which administers the reimbursement fund.

Limits and unknowns

  • The program only applies to systems installed before April 1, 2037.
  • Unused credits expire every year on March 31 if not used by that date.
  • Utilities can limit participation in the program only if a hearing proves it is needed for safety or fairness.

Plain language

Terms to know

Net metering
A system where customers get credit on their bill for extra electricity they send back to the power grid.
Consumer-generator
A customer who buys electricity from a utility but also makes some of their own using renewable energy systems up to 25 kilowatts in size that offsets part or all of their use.
Load-serving entity
An electric company that sells power directly to customers and serves as the main provider for an area, specifically those served by a reliability organization with over 5 million kilowatt-hours in sales.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

NET METERING PROGRAM & FUND 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.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE2019
  2. (H) FN4: ZERO(CED)2019
  3. (H) FN3: ZERO(CED)2019
  4. (H) AM: RUFFRIDGE, KOPP2019
  5. (H) NR: JOHNSON2019
  6. (H) DP: EDGMON, COSTELLO, HOLLAND, MEARS2019
  7. (H) ENE RPT CS(ENE) NEW TITLE 4DP 1NR 2AM2019
  8. (H) Moved CSHB 164(ENE) Out of CommitteeText
  9. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  10. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  11. (H) ENERGY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  12. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  13. (H) ENERGY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  14. (H) Minutes (HENE)Min
  15. (H) Heard & HeldText
  16. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  17. (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER564
  18. (H) FN2: ZERO(CED)564
  19. (H) FN1: ZERO(CED)564
  20. (H) ENE, FIN564