Session: State Capitol, Room 427 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2828 Fax: (907) 465-4779 Interim: 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 101 B Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: (907) 260-3041 Fax: (907) 260-3044 345 W. Sterling Highway, Suite 102 Homer, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-0690 Fax: (907) 235-4008

Sponsor Statement for SB 140
Small Water-Power Development Projects

An Act relating to regulation and licensing of certain water-power development projects.

On November 9, 2000, Congress approved legislation extending programs under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Title V of this Act, placed in federal statute as Public Law 106-469, was proposed by Senator Murkowski who is chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Senator Murkowski's language amends the Federal Power Act to allow licensing and regulatory authority over small hydroelectric projects in Alaska to transfer from the federal government to the State of Alaska. Small hydroelectric projects are defined as those of 5,000 kilowatts (5 megawatts) or less. The federal enabling legislation applies to new projects and to existing projects if the owner so elects. A number of our small utilities as well as the State supported this legislation.

Before Alaska can acquire jurisdiction from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which currently oversees hydroelectric projects, the Legislature must adopt legislation and the Governor must submit a program to FERC to satisfy the requirements in Title V of PL 106-469. All current environmental and other protections required under federal law must be contained in the State program. Small hydroelectric projects located on Indian reservations, conservation units of ANILCA, or rivers designated for the Wild and Scenic Rivers System would not be eligible for State jurisdiction.

SB 140 will begin implementation of Title V of PL 106-469 in an effort to bring regulations closer to home and to reduce the great time and expense currently associated with federal licensing and regulation of small hydro projects in Alaska. The time and money required for federal licensing is virtually prohibitive for some small projects. Now the Legislature has an opportunity to remove this hindrance and encourage development of renewable electric infrastructure.

# # #

Attachments:

• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 68 K

| Sen. Torgerson's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters