March 10 Forum: How to cut AK Electricity Use by 50%

Thanks to Elizabeth Outten, of the Alaska Conservation Alliance, who gave a great presentation on their “Railbelt Electricity Efficiency Landscape” report on how Alaskans can cut electricity use in the Railbelt by 50%. More on Elizabeth’s presentation, including a podcast and PowerPoint is available here

Business Owner Energy Survey

The University of Alaska’s Center for Economic Development is conducting a survey to assess the availability and utilization of energy-efficiency resources for small businesses throughout Alaska. Click here to take the survey

Legislative Issue: Emerging Energy Technology Fund

Alaska has the opportunity to be a “first mover” in the commercialization of technologies like biomass gasification, tidal, and energy storage technologies, given our abundant resources and unique needs. However, to make progress in these areas Alaska must begin a concerted effort to support research and development like many other states, provinces and countries around the world are doing. An ‘Emerging Energy Technology Development Fund’ could give Alaska an advantage when competing with other states for federal funding programs for green industry and job development that are being launched by President Obama’s administration.

Senate Bill 150 would establish an emerging energy technology fund that would be administered by the Alaska Energy Authority. The fund, which would be financed by appropriations from the state legislature, federal appropriations, and contributions from other sources, would be available to utilities, independent power producers, local and tribal governments, Alaskan businesses, and non-profits. In order to receive grants from the fund, the benefiting project would need to be for the research, development, or demonstration of a new energy or conservation technology or for the improvement of an existing technology, with the reasonable expectation that the technology would be commercially viable within 5 years.

Alaska can be a world leader in renewable energy. Call or email your legislator today to voice your opinion on this important issue.

U of A offers renewable and sustainable energy classes at Mat-Su College, statewide

This spring, Mat-Su College is offering RE A100 Introduction to Renewable Energy, a 3-credit course that introduces students to the field of renewable energy.  Topics include renewable energy resources, technologies, principles of conservation and efficiency, storage and hardware options, thermal energy systems, regulations, applicable codes, and career pathways. Class meets on Thursdays 4:00-6:45pm, with Instructor Kat Keith. Seats are limited to 25 students.  To register, go to www.matsu.alaska.edu or call 745-9774 for assistance.

The University of Alaska is also offering a distance-delivered class on sustainable energy in Spring 2010. Offered through the Bristol Bay Campus, ENVI 293 Intro to Sustainable Energy is a 3-credit class available to a wide population via distance delivery (internet and phone). It covers the basics of both energy efficiency and renewable energy. For more information about the class, contact instructor Tom Marsik at tmarsik@alaska.edu or go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207983748859. For information about financial aid or to register, call the Bristol Bay Campus at 800-478-5109.
ENVI293_Syllabus(.doc)
ENVI293_TentativeSchedule(.doc)

Alaska Efficiency Challenge

REAP is preparing to launch an energy efficiency campaign to save Alaskans money.  Alaska Efficiency Challenge will provide participants with a personalized efficiency plan with a list of over 400 ways to stop wasting money and to reduce the amount of energy used each month.

The software the campaign utilizes tracks participants’ energy use and allows for energy reduction competitions to be held between different communities, schools, and organizations. Please join us and challenge fellow Alaskans to see who can save the most of money and reduce the most energy!

Check back soon to participate in this campaign! If you would like to start saving money today, please click here to learn more about energy efficiency!