Governor Unveils Short-Term Energy Plan

From the Office of Governor Sarah Palin, May 15, 2008.

May 15, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today unveiled a short-term energy plan to address the skyrocketing costs of energy in Alaska. The package includes two parts – returning surplus funds through a grant to all electric utilities to reduce ratepayer bills and an Energy Debit Card for the next 12 months.      

Click here to read full news release.

Newsminer: Rebate program begins for energy-efficient homes

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 16, 2008

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. kicks off a rebate program today to reimburse property owners for making their homes more energy-efficient.

The new program will supplement a long-running weatherization effort available to residents who earn up to, but not above, the state’s median income.

The rebate program and a dramatic expansion to the weatherization program come amidst — and in response to — rocketing energy prices.

Click here to read the full article.

Newsminer: Alaska proposes $1.2 billion program to help offset energy costs

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 15, 2008

JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday proposed a $1.2 billion, one-year plan to help offset the high energy costs paid by the state’s residents.

Grants totaling $475 million would be given to utility companies operating in the state, to be used to lower customer bills.

Palin said she expects monthly bills to be reduced by 60 percent because of the state aid.

Most residents also would receive $100 Energy Debit Cards monthly under the proposal, which requires legislative approval.

The cards would be authorized for purchases from Alaska energy vendors, like heating oil distributors, natural gas and electric utilities, gas stations and other retail fueling stations.

Click here to read the full article.

Oil conservation and Energy Fair

Title: Oil conservation and Energy Fair
Location: Nenana Civic Center
Description: Organizations including Cooperative Extension Service, offer advice on lowering fuel and electric bills. For more information call Pamela Samash before 9pm at 832-2013.
Start Time: 11:00 am
Date: May 31, 2008
End Time: 06:00 pm

Newsminer: Palin Will Call Special Session on Energy Relief

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 13, 2008

JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin will call lawmakers into a second special session this year to address energy cost relief for Alaskans.

Palin will unveil a plan from her energy coordinator, Steve Haagenson, on Thursday to address the short-term energy crisis caused by oil prices.

Click here to read the full article.

AHFC Weatherization Program

In addition to providing funding for the Home Energy Rebate Program, the passing of Senate Bill 256 also allotted 200 million dollars to home weatherization programs in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is expanding its current weatherization program which focused on low-income homes by revising the income guidelines from 60 percent of  the median poverty level to include up to 100 percent of the median poverty level with the passing of Senate Bill 289. Visit our blog for updates or check the AHFC website for additional information as it becomes available in the near future.

The Facts (see the AHFC Weatherization/Rebates page for additional information)

  • Alaskans who meet income requirements would be eligible for free weatherization assistance, similar to AHFC’s current program. The legislation increased current income limits from 60 percent of the median to 100 percent of the median to allow more Alaskans to qualify.
  • Alaskans may participate in either the rebate or the weatherization program, not both.
  • The goal is long-term energy savings.
  • Energy audits are required to determine the best energy improvements for a home. Once the improvements are completed, a follow-up inspection audit is used to verify completion.
  • There are training requirements for individuals and organizations performing work under this program.
  • This program focuses on existing homes, not new home construction.
  • Program funds may not be used for renewable energy systems.
  • AHFC is working with the five state weatherization agencies and 15 state designated regional housing authorities on implementation.
  • Income Guidelines for Weatherization provides a general idea of eligibility.

*The facts above are taken directly from the AHFC website.*

To assist you, AHFC has also published a list of energy raters and weatherization providers in the state of Alaska.

For additional information visit our blog, the AHFC Website, or call 1-877-325-2508.

AHFC Home Energy Rebate Program

With the passing of Senate Bill 256, 100 million dollars was allotted for home energy rebates in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is in the process of implementing a “Home Energy Rebate Grant Program” that “will rebate up to $10,000 to a homeowner who improves the energy efficiency of his or her home.” See the AHFC Home Energy Rebate Grant Program Guidelines.

The rebate program assists homeowners in making the most energy efficient improvements for their home. Home energy raters will evaluate homes before & after the improvements to determin the base energy rating and the number of steps improved after work is complete. The more the home’s energy efficiency improves, the greater the possible rebate. The final program will be announced soon. 

The facts (see the AHFC Weatherization/Rebates page for additional information)

The home energy rebate program has no income requirements.

  • Alaskans may participate in either the rebate or the weatherization program, not both.
  • The goal is long-term energy savings for Alaskans.
  • The amount of the rebate received under the home energy program will depend on how much the home efficiency improves. Improvement is based on a rating scale. When a home moves up from one rating level to a higher one, that is a step improvement. The more steps a home improves, the greater the rebate (up to a pre-set limit) and the more efficient the home.
  • Rebates may not cover the full amount of improvements. A loan for additional funds may be needed. AHFC will offer a Second Mortgage for Energy Conservation to qualified borrowers, up to $30,000.
  • There are training requirements for individuals and organizations performing work under this program.

*The facts above are taken directly from the AHFC website.*

See AHFC’s energy raters list for raters arround Alaska. 

For additional information visit our blog, the AHFC Website, or call 1-877-325-2508.

Newsminer: Borough declares an energy emergency

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 9th, 2008

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on Thursday declared skyrocketing energy costs a public emergency and prepared to put state aid, aimed at boosting energy efficiency in homes, on the fast track.

Borough officials said they’ll team with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center to get the rebate program on the fast track by training energy raters and contractors.

John Davies, a director at the research center, said the community needs many more trained and certified energy raters — he estimated one-third of homes in Fairbanks could stand to see significant energy-efficiency upgrades.

“If we work really hard we might be able to get to between two (thousand) and four thousand (homes) before the end of this season,” Davies said.

Click here to read the full article.

Associated Press: Smarter electric grid could be key to saving power

From Wired News, Associated Press, May 4, 2008

This is the beginning of a new way of thinking about electricity, and the biggest change in how we get power since wires began veining the landscape a century ago.

For all the engineering genius behind the electric grid, that vast network ferrying energy from power plants through transmission lines isn’t particularly smart when it meets our homes. We flip a switch or plug something in and generally get as much power as we’re willing to pay for.

But these days the environmental consequences and unfriendly economics of energy appear unsustainable. As a result, power providers and technology companies are making the electric grid smarter.

Click here to read the full article.