Addressing the high cost of energy in Alaska is one of my top priorities.\u00a0 Infrastructure investments and effective public policy can play significant roles in saving Alaskan businesses and households\u00a0money.<\/p>\n
As part of\u00a0our\u00a0evaluation of\u00a0the Governor\u2019s FY2013 Capital Budget<\/a>, the Senate Finance Committee has been\u00a0reviewing the topic of energy and how state projects and policy can improve the quality of life for Alaskans.\u00a0<\/p>\n This week, the\u00a0Committee received an update from the Alaska Energy Authority<\/a> on the state\u2019s Renewable Energy Grant Fund<\/a>.\u00a0So far, the program has funded over 200 projects and there are 165 grants in place.\u00a0 Renewable energy projects in hydropower, biomass, wind energy, and geothermal technologies are being developed through this program to decrease the cost of energy.\u00a0 Projects funded by the Renewable Energy Fund span the state, highlighting the unique assets of each region.\u00a0 Southeast is focusing on expanding hydropower, while Kodiak and areas in western Alaska have seen savings through wind energy.\u00a0 These projects have saved millions of gallons of diesel fuel since the Fund\u2019s inception in 2008, and reduced and stabilized energy costs to Alaskans.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Senate Finance Committee also received an update on the Weatherization<\/a> and Home Energy Rebate<\/a>\u00a0Programs from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Weatherization Program is income-based and has assisted homeowners for thirty years.\u00a0 The Program operates in over 100 communities and is on track to weatherize 10,000 homes by 2013.\u00a0 The Weatherization Program creates jobs, invests in local communities, and provides direct energy savings to Alaskans, saving participants an average of 33% on their heating bills.\u00a0 In the senate district I represent, 333 households have participated in the Program since 2008, saving an average of $1,587 annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Home Energy Rebate Program is open to all Alaskans.\u00a0 Rebates of up to $10,000 are offered for homeowners making energy efficiency improvements.\u00a0Over 16,000 homeowners have participated in this program.\u00a0 Also, the Program offers a $7,500 incentive for new construction to build 5 star plus energy rated homes.\u00a0 In the senate district I represent, 530 households have participated in the Home Energy Rebate Program since 2008, receiving an average rebate of $6,240, and average energy savings of 38%.\u00a0 Additionally, in my district the Program helped realize an annual redution of 130,000 gallons of fuel oil and a 10% reduction in electrical use.<\/p>\n