KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Report shows energy efficiency in Railbelt could boost economy

Report shows energy efficiency in Railbelt could boost economy

by Ted Land
Tuesday, February 23

JUNEAU, Alaska -- A new report shows how Alaska's Railbelt can heat homes and keep the lights on, while at the same time saving money.

A conservation group presented their findings to lawmakers in Juneau Tuesday morning.

The study states that a fifty percent improvement in Railbelt efficiency could generate up to nearly $1 billion in economic output and more than $290 million in wages.

The study also sets a number of goals.

Among them is the creation of a regional Railbelt authority which would oversee energy efficiency projects and would work in cooperation with the existing six Railbelt utilities.

Another goal is to enable homeowners to finance energy efficiency projects through their property taxes.

The study is sponsored by the Alaska Conservation Alliance and is meant to give lawmakers some direction as they draft new bills.

"I think that energy efficiency and conservation are the low-hanging fruit, the quickest, most economical things that we can do as a state to make sure that our residents have every opportunity to save on energy costs," said Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage.

"The more that we can adopt the recommendations from this report, and not everyone will want to adopt every single one, but the point is that we have to take them seriously if we're going to be a serious competitor in a very competitive world economy," said Chris Rose with the Renewable Energy Alaska Project.

Omnibus energy bills in both the House and Senate already include sections which would spur energy efficiency projects.

Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com