SB 185 Summary

• Establishes a new Department of Energy as a principal state department and adds it to the list of state government departments in AS 44.17.005

• Transfers the Alaska Energy Authority and Alaska Natural Gas Authority from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Energy

• Transfers home energy conservation and weatherization programs (home energy loan program, rural capital retrofit program, and energy efficiency and weatherization program) to the Department of Energy

• Restructures the Alaska Energy Authority board of directors to include the commissioner of revenue, commissioner of energy, one gubernatorial appointee heading a principal department, and two public members appointed by the governor

• Specifies that the Department of Energy shall not consider Alaska longevity bonus payments or permanent fund dividends when determining income eligibility for state and federal energy conservation or weatherization programs