How to Use this Guide State Resources Federal Resources State Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

In May 2008, Alaska enacted a new renewable energy grant fund that can support development of landfill gas energy projects.

Alaska

• Renewable Energy Grant Recommendation Program
• Power Project Loan Fund

Renewable Energy Grant Recommendation Program

In May 2008, Alaska enacted legislation authorizing the creation of a renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program to be administered by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). The grant program is intended to provide assistance to utilities, independent power producers, local governments, and tribal governments to develop renewable energy projects. Eligible renewable energy sources include, but are not limited to: landfill gas, wind, solar, geothermal, waste heat recovery, and biomass. Grants can be requested for all stages of project planning, such as feasibility studies, energy resource monitoring, and work related to the design and construction of eligible facilities. The authorizing legislation does not specify any minimum or maximum grant requirements.

In late summer/early fall each year, AEA solicits applications from interested entities and ranks them for consideration. More weight is given to entities in areas with higher energy costs and to those projects that can contribute matching funds. AEA recommends grant applications to the Alaska State Legislature, which then makes the final determination of projects funded. The enabling legislation states an intention to provide $50 million in funding annually to the program for five years. For fiscal year 2009, the program has been appropriated $100 million for grant awards.

For More Information Contact: Butch White Alaska Energy Authority 813 West Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK 99503 907-771-3048 Fax: 907-771-3942 E-mail: re_fund@aidea.org Web site: http://www.aidea.org/aea/RE_Fund.html

Power Project Loan Fund

The Alaska Energy Authority administers the Power Project Loan Fund to assist in the development or upgrade of electric power facilities, including bulk fuel, waste energy, energy efficiency, or alternative energy projects. Biomass, such as landfill gas, as well as wind, tidal, geothermal, hydro, and solar energy systems, qualify as alternative energy technologies. Electric utilities, regional electric authorities, municipalities, regional and village corporations, village councils, independent power producers, and nonprofit marketing cooperatives are eligible to receive loans.

Loan terms are based on the project lifetime. Loans can be used to cover the costs of reconnaissance studies, feasibility studies, license and permit applications, preconstruction engineering, project design, construction, equipment, modification, improvement, and expansion of small-scale power production facilities that are designed to produce less than 10 MW of power.

Interest rates are the lesser of the average weekly yield of municipal bonds for the 12 months preceding the date of loan, or a rate the Division determines will enable the project to be financially feasible. Approximately $3 million per year has been made available for loans in the recent past. Loans may amount to as much as $1 million per project, but vary depending on availability of funds.

For More Information Contact: Bruce Chertkow Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority 813 West Northern Lights Boulevard Anchorage, Alaska 99503 907-269-3000 Fax: 907-269-3044 E-mail: bchertkown@aidea.org Web site: http://akenergyauthority.org/programsloan.html