CS for House Bill No. 151(ENE) - Summary

• Electric utilities operating in interconnected transmission networks must participate in an electric reliability organization certificated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, unless all load-serving entities petition for an exemption.

• Electric reliability organizations must develop reliability standards, integrated resource plans, and establish rules ensuring independence, equitable cost allocation, fair enforcement procedures, and public participation, with governance by a board including commission and attorney general representatives.

• The commission must approve proposed reliability standards and modifications, determine compliance with public interest requirements, and enforce standards against violating users, owners, or operators after notice and hearing.

• Electric reliability organizations must file integrated resource plans evaluating cost-effective generation, transmission, battery storage, and conservation options to meet customer needs with greatest value, subject to commission approval within 45 days or automatic approval.

• Public utilities interconnected with a certificated electric reliability organization cannot construct large energy facilities (including plants 15,000+ kilowatts, transmission lines 69+ kilovolts and 10+ miles, or energy storage 15,000+ kilowatts) without commission determination that the facility is necessary, complies with reliability standards, and cost-effectively meets load-serving entity needs.