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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB196

Renewable Energy Grant Fund Rules

Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill sets rules for how Alaska ranks and recommends renewable energy projects to help communities with high electricity costs.

What it does

  • Establishes a separate fund to finance certain energy projects in Alaska to provide affordable energy.
  • Requires officials to create rules that rank project applications based on need, cost, and feasibility.
  • Gives the most priority to areas where residents pay more for energy than other parts of the state.
  • Provides technical assistance to communities with fewer than 2,000 people so they can prepare grant applications.
  • Asks officials to send a report to lawmakers each year listing which projects should get money first.

Who it affects

  • Alaska communities that apply for renewable energy project grants
  • Small towns with populations under 2,000 people receiving technical assistance
  • The advisory committee and Department of Natural Resources staff who review applications
  • State lawmakers who receive annual reports on grant recommendations

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not say how much money is in the fund or where it comes from.
  • It lists when reports are due to lawmakers but does not list specific dates for awarding grants.
  • The text mentions carbon offset revenue in the title but does not explain how that money connects to this grant program.

Plain language

Terms to know

Renewable energy grant fund
A separate pool of money set aside to pay for certain energy projects in Alaska.
Advisory committee
A group that helps officials decide which energy projects should get funding first and elects a chairperson.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND An Act relating to carbon offset revenue; and relating to the renewable energy grant fund.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE1804
  2. (H) FN2: INDETERMINATE(DNR)1804
  3. (H) FN1: (CED)1804
  4. (H) DP: COSTELLO, RUFFRIDGE, KOPP, HOLLAND, MEARS1804
  5. (H) ENE RPT CS(ENE) NEW TITLE 5DP1804
  6. (H) Moved CSHB 196(ENE) Out of CommitteeText
  7. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  8. (H) Minutes (HENE)Min
  9. (H) Heard & HeldText
  10. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  11. (H) Minutes (HENE)Min
  12. (H) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  13. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  14. (H) ENE, FIN757
  15. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS757