HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 AEA Annual Report to Alaskans2019ANNUAL REPORTTO ALASKANS
Alaska Energy Authority
Bradley LakeHydroelectric Project
Contents
Who We AreWhat We DoMessage from the ChairmanMessage from the Executive DirectorOwned AssetsPower Cost EqualizationRural Energy AssistanceEnergy Technology ProgramsGrants and LoansFinancial HighlightsBoard of DirectorsExecutive Staff
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Annual Report Requirements:
The publication on the activities and financial
condition of the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is
submitted in accordance with Alaska Statute (AS)
44.83.940. The report was printed in Anchorage,
Alaska at a cost of $5.25 per copy. Design and
production by AEA. Printed by Service Business
Printing.
Cover Photo:
AEA Vice Chair Bernie Karl meets with children
at Tuluksak School during a site visit to Tuluksak,
Alaska in September 2019.
2 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Who We Are
What We Do
Created in 1976 by the Alaska Legislature, the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is a public corporation of the State of Alaska governed by a board of directors with the mission to “reduce the cost of energy in Alaska.” AEA is the state’s energy office and lead agency for statewide energy policy and program development.
Owned Assets
AEA owns the Alaska Intertie and
the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric
Project. These assets benefit
Railbelt consumers by reducing
the cost of power.
Power Cost Equalization
The Power Cost Equalization
Program reduces the unit cost
of electricity in rural Alaska
for residential customers and
community customers of
eligible utilities.
Rural Energy Assistance
AEA constructs bulk fuel tank
farms, diesel powerhouses, and
electrical distribution grids in
rural villages. AEA supports
the operation of these facilities
through circuit rider and
emergency response programs.
Energy Technology Programs
AEA provides renewable energy
and energy efficiency grants,
analysis, and expertise. These
include hydro, biomass, wind,
solar, and others.
Grants and Loans
AEA provides loans to qualified
utilities, local governments, and
independent power producers
for the construction or upgrade
of power generation and other
energy facilities.
Energy Planning
In collaboration with local
and regional partners, AEA
provides critical economic and
engineering analysis to plan the
development of cost effective
energy infrastructure.
32019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Dana PruhsMessage from the Chair
It is my pleasure to present AEA’s 2019 Annual
Report to Alaskans. This report highlights AEA’s
accomplishments during 2019. It also illustrates
the ways AEA helps Alaskans use electricity and
fuel more efficiently, and shows our progress
in meeting the State’s goal of generating more
energy from renewable sources.
AEA was created in 1976 by the Alaska State
Legislature to reduce the cost of energy in
Alaska. To achieve this mission, AEA works to
diversify Alaska’s energy portfolio, engages on
energy planning and policy, invests in Alaska’s
energy infrastructure, and provides rural Alaska
with technical and community assistance.
Our role as an owner of significant generation
and transmission assets in the Railbelt region of
the state brings great benefits to all six Railbelt
utilities and ratepayers. In 2019, however, there
were great challenges resulting from the Swan
Lake Fire, which in my view is a fire that should
never have happened. As AEA worked with the
utilities to promptly and responsibly address
the fire’s impact to the Railbelt, we recognized
the vulnerability in the system and are actively
looking at ways to improve its reliability.
Through management of the Power Cost
Equalization (PCE) Program, AEA helps reduce
power costs for rural residents to near the
average cost of power in Anchorage, Fairbanks,
and Juneau. If not for PCE, the cost of electricity
in rural Alaska would be three to five times
higher than it is for customers in more
urban areas of the state. AEA also manages
the Renewable Energy Fund (REF). Since
inception, the REF has funded 295
renewable energy projects. This has led
to nearly 100 new operational renewable
projects across the state, with about 20 new
projects coming online in just the past two
years. These projects have helped increase
the percentage of renewable generation
in the state from 24 percent in 2012 to 29
percent in 2017.
In addition to PCE and REF, AEA for
decades has provided energy solutions that
address the unique needs of Alaska’s rural
communities. Applying community-based
project management, AEA develops and
constructs modern and code-compliant bulk
fuel tank farms, upgrades systems to high-
efficiency generators in rural powerhouses,
and integrates renewable energy projects.
On behalf of the Board and myself, I express
appreciation for the confidence and trust
you have in AEA. I also express my gratitude
to AEA Management and staff for their
expertise and dedication, which enables our
success. Together, we look forward to our
continued role in helping Alaska meet its
energy needs.
4 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Message from theExecutive Director
Curtis W. Thayer
AEA promotes, develops, and advances the
general prosperity and economic welfare of all
Alaskans. We do this through ownership of our
assets on the Railbelt, carrying out State energy
policy, and providing programs that help reduce
the cost of energy across the state.
In 2019, our focus has been not only on reducing
the cost of energy, but also on solidifying the
value of AEA to the state through prudent
management of its assets and program activities.
The Alaska Intertie is owned by AEA and
managed cooperatively with participating
utilities. The Intertie provides significant savings
to Railbelt ratepayers. In the Fairbanks region,
ratepayers have saved approximately $460
million over the last 10 years.
Power Cost Equalization (PCE) is one of many
programs AEA manages for the benefit of rural
Alaskans. PCE reduces the costs of electricity for
84,000 Alaskans in nearly 200 rural communities
by an average of 45 percent for eligible
customers. It is funded by earnings from the PCE
Endowment Fund, currently valued at $1.1 billion.
In 2019, AEA supported the Alaska Congressional
Delegation’s work to enact the Alaska Remote
Generator Reliability and Protection Act. This
landmark legislation reduces the unnecessary
regulatory burden placed on rural utilities
and improves reliability and efficiency in rural
powerhouses. The Environmental Protection
Agency estimates annual cost savings of $8
million to Alaska utilities.
For Fiscal Year 2021, the Governor’s
proposed capital budget includes $13.7
million in state funds and $20 million in
federal receipt authority for rural power
system and bulk fuel upgrades, a Railbelt
energy plan and electrical emergency
response for rural Alaska. AEA’s proposed
Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget is $38.4
million dollars. The Governor’s budget
includes a fully funded PCE program,
provides support for rural energy assistance,
and statewide energy programs.
2019 was not without its challenges.
The Swan Lake Fire damaged a portion
of the transmission line used to deliver
low-cost energy from AEA’s Bradley Lake
Hydroelectric Project. This disruption
to the state’s most affordable source of
power affected 80 percent of Alaskans. AEA
continues to work with Railbelt utilities on
future transmission system upgrades to
maximize savings for Railbelt residents in
decades to come.
I’m excited about AEA’s future. I look
forward to continuing our work with
Alaska’s energy stakeholders on programs
and projects that reduce the cost of energy
and promote economic development for
the benefit of all Alaskans.
52019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Bradley Lake and enables the sharing of reserve
generation capacity between the Anchorage
and Fairbanks load centers. The operation of
the Intertie is governed by the Alaska Intertie
Agreement signed in 1985 and amended
thereafter. The parties to the agreement are AEA,
GVEA, Municipal Light & Power, Chugach Electric
Association, and Matanuska Electric Association.
Each of these entities has a seat on the Intertie
Management Committee (IMC), which has
responsibility for operating and managing the
Intertie.
Through AEA’s leadership as an IMC member
and with its step-in rights on financial decisions
regarding the intertie, AEA is uniquely positioned
to ensure that ratepayers for the entire
electrically interconnected Railbelt region are
treated similarly in each utility’s individual service
territory.
AEA Chair Dana Pruhs and Governor Michael J.
Dunleavy inspect a Kenai transmission intertie
damaged by the Swan Lake Fire in August 2019.
Alaska Intertie
The Alaska Intertie transmission line is a 170-mile
long, 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between
Willow and Healy. The line is owned by AEA and
operates at 138 kV. The Intertie connects Golden
Valley Electric Association (GVEA), the utility that
serves areas north of the Alaska Range, with
Southcentral Alaska utilities. It was constructed
in the mid-1980s with $124 million of State
appropriations and has no debt service.
The Intertie provides significant cost savings
through the transmission of economy energy
to GVEA. It delivers to GVEA its power share of
Owned Assets
$40M
In 2018, GVEA ratepayers achieved savings
of more than $40 million as a result of
power transmission over the Intertie.
6 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project is
located 27 air miles northeast of Homer on the
Kenai Peninsula and has 120 megawatt (MW)
of installed capacity. The project consists of a
125-foot high, concrete faced, rock-filled dam
structure; three diversion structures; a 3.5-mile
long power tunnel and vertical shaft; generating
plant; an interior substation; and an external
substation 20 miles of transmission line. The
power generation potential of Bradley Lake was
first studied in 1955 by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers. AEA, then the Alaska Power
Authority, assumed responsibility for the project
in 1982. The project began commercial operation
on September 1, 1991 and has been producing
power ever since. To date, the total project costs
including the West Fork Upper Battle Creek
(WFUBC) Diversion Project, is approximately $400
million.
The project was funded through legislative
appropriations and AEA revenue bonds that
are being repaid by the participating utilities.
Original bonds are expected to be retired in July
2021, after which the participating utilities will be
obligated to pay AEA up to $12.5 million annually
for deposit into the Railbelt Energy Fund. The
Bradley Lake Project Management Committee
generally manages the project, subject to AEA’s
non-delegable rights, duties, and responsibilities.
In Fiscal Year 2018, financing was secured for
and construction began on the WFUBC Diversion
Project, which will increase the amount of clean,
low cost energy from Bradley Lake by about 10
percent, or 37,00 megawatt-hour — enough to
keep the lights on in a community the size of
Homer for a year. In December 2017, financing
was secured with low cost interest subsidies
available only to a government entity.
The WFUBC Diversion Project was a competitively
bid undertaking. The low bid amount is $36
million. With the low cost financing, it is
estimated that $18 million will be saved in
debt burden over the financing term. In April
2018, the contractor mobilized to Bradley
Lake Hydroelectric Project and commenced
construction activities for the WFUBC Diversion
Project. In 2019, the contractor substantially
completed the access road and significant work
on the diversion dam. In 2020, the pipeline will
be installed and the project completed.
5,000
The WFUBC Diversion Project will
produce enough energy to power
5,000 homes.
72019 Annual Report to Alaskans
The Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE) makes payments that reduce the unit cost of power to residential and community customers of eligible utilities. The pre-PCE cost of electricity in rural communities can be three to five times higher than the electricity costs borne by customers in Alaska’s areas.
PCE’s purpose is to reduce power costs to
near the average cost of power in Anchorage,
Fairbanks, and Juneau. AEA calculates and
issues monthly payments, and provides
technical assistance to utility clerks who need
help preparing PCE reports. Residential and
community facility customers in nearly 200
communities are eligible for PCE credits.
The PCE program is funded by earnings of the
PCE Endowment Fund. AS 42.45.085 provides
that five percent of the PCE Endowment Fund’s
three-year monthly average market value may
be appropriated to the PCE program. It has only
been in recent years that the five-percent draw
on the endowment has been sufficient to fully
fund PCE payments. In Fiscal Year 2018, due to
statutory changes made regarding how excess
PCE earnings are used, the PCE Endowment
fully funded the program’s administrative costs,
contributed $30 million to local governments
through the state’s community assistance
program, and provided a combined total of $25
million for the Renewable Energy Fund and to
Rural Power System Upgrade projects.
AEA recently developed a new online portal
to enable utilities to submit monthly reports
electronically. The new portal allows for easier
submissions of PCE reports, saving time and
administrative cost, and resulting in a faster
disbursement of payment. It will provide
convenient access to historic Utility Monthly
Reports in a digital form. The portal, currently
being beta tested, is expected to launch later in
Fiscal Year 2020.
Power Cost Equalization
8 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Port Heiden, Alaska
91197 83,000
Rural Communities Electric Utilities Alaskans
92019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Sand Point, Alaska
AEA provides comprehensive technical assistance to rural utilities with the primary objectives of ensuring infrastructure lasts its full economic life, preventing catastrophic electrical emergencies, and building community self-sufficiency.
major federal funding partner, which requires a state
match of 50 percent for non-distressed communities
or 20 percent for distressed communities.
The RPSU program also manages the State’s
allocation through the Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA’s) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
(DERA). Pending yearly funding from Congress, states
can apply for DERA funds based on population.
In addition to the state program, EPA also a tribal
DERA program that awards funds competitively
nationwide. AEA uses DERA funds exclusively to
replace prime power diesel engines in rural Alaska.
AEA selects communities for engine replacement
Rural Power System Upgrade
AEA’s Rural Power Systems Upgrade (RPSU)
program builds and retrofits facilities in
communities of less than 2,000 people,
providing stable and reliable power. The
typical efficiency improvement in diesel
generation is between 10 and 20 percent,
with some improvements as high as 30
percent. Upgrades may include efficiency
improvements, powerhouse upgrades or
replacements, line assessments, demand-
side enhancements, heat recovery and
repairs to generation and distribution
systems. The Denali Commission is AEA’s
Rural Energy Assistance
10 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
through the DERA program based on current
engine condition, redundancy, efficiency and
engine eligibility.
In Calendar Year 2019, AEA completed two
RPSU powerhouse replacement projects, in
Clark’s Point and Port Heiden. Additional RPSU
design and construction work, including engine
replacement with DERA funds, were completed in
Chignik Lake (two engines), Circle (two engines),
Takotna (two engines) and Tuluksak (one engine).
AEA has switched emphasis from full facility
replacement to improving operations and
maintenance to maximize the benefit to rural
power systems. There are currently 24 active
Maintenance and Improvement (M&I) projects,
which target high return investment in eligible
community power systems. Typical projects
include replacing old switchgear and control
systems, maximizing heat recovery, and updating
engine controls to improve efficiency.Average efficiency
improvement
15%
Federal dollars
leveraged since 2001
$104M
Active RPSU projects*
(*Represents a shift to
non-full replacement
projects)
56
RPSU projects
completed since 2000
98
112019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Nunam Iqua, Alaska
Rural Bulk Fuel Upgrades
Rural Alaska is energized primarily by liquid fuels,
diesel for power generation and heating, and
gasoline for transportation. Most rural villages
are located either along rivers or on the coast,
so fuel is delivered primarily by barge. Delivery
is seasonal and limited by sea or river ice, water
levels, or ice road availability. Villages of a few
hundred people must store enough fuel well
in advance of freeze up in order to meet their
annual energy needs without incurring the
extraordinary expense of flying fuel in during the
winter months.
Many of rural Alaska’s bulk fuel facilities were
built in the 1950-60s. They were not built to
national standards or in compliance with current
regulations, and some of them are at the end of
their useful lives. Yet they continue in service until
upgraded or replaced, in some cases posing risks
to personal safety and the environment.
AEA’s Bulk Fuel Upgrade (BFU) program replaces
and repairs or upgrades code-compliant fuel
storage facilities in communities with fewer than
2,000 residents. These facilities help decrease the
per-unit cost of fuel by allowing the community
to purchase fuel in bulk quantities. AEA has
performed 131 bulk fuel upgrades, and another
eight are currently in design or construction.
AEA has switched emphasis from full bulk fuel
facility replacement to focusing on M&I projects
to maximize the benefit to rural bulk fuel
facilities. There are currently 16 planned M&I
projects which target high return investment in
eligible community power systems.
In Calendar Year 2019, AEA completed one full
facility Bulk Fuel Upgrade (BFU) project in Kipnuk.
Additional BFU design and construction work
was done in Kasaan, Holy Cross, Mertarvik, and
Tatitlek.
12 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Circuit Rider and Technical Assistance
AEA’s Circuit Rider program assisted 109
eligible utilities in Calendar Year 2019 by
providing remote monitoring, training, technical
consultation, on-site assistance, and minor
repairs to power systems. The Circuit Rider and
Technical Assistance programs provide essential
preventative assistance in an effort to reduce
the number of emergency responses that are
needed when there are power outages in rural
communities.
Electrical Emergency Assistance
AEA provides power-related electrical emergency
assistance to rural communities. Electrical
emergency assistance encompasses risk to life
or property damages due to power failure, and
other service matters. Thankfully this assistance
is rarely needed. In Calendar Year 2019, AEA
provided electrical emergency assistance to
four communities — Arctic Village, Stony River,
Tenakee Springs, and Tuluksak (two).
Rural Training Program
AEA’s Rural Training Program trains community
operators with the skills to operate their energy
infrastructure and help utilities keep their facilities
code compliant and operational. In Calendar
Year 2019, 36 operators from 33 communities
completed training in Bulk Fuel Operations,
Power Plant Operations, and Advanced Power
Plant Operations in AEA’s training courses at the
Alaska Vocational Technical Center. An additional
35 students from five communities received on-
site training in bulk fuel operations.
Communities received
Circuit Rider and/or
Technical Assistance
109
Communities received
electrical emergency
assistance
5
Operators from
33 communities
received training
36
132019 Annual Report to Alaskans
14 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an energy
solution that saves cost and is
quick and easy. It is available in
every community in Alaska.
In 2019, AEA’s Energy Efficiency
program leveraged federal
State Energy Program funds
and bank grants from Wells
Fargo to meet our mission.
Through a unique public
partnership, AEA’s Village
Energy Efficiency Program
received a $1 million grant from
Wells Fargo and additional
funds from the State of Alaska
to provide 47 communities
with outdoor lighting retrofits.
Local match totaled $397,000,
for a total investment of nearly
$1.5 million in energy efficient
outdoor lighting.
Efficiency program staff work
to increase the access to
financing markets and develop
mechanisms to attain private
dollars for energy efficiency
retrofits with the Alaska C-PACE
Program. In January 2019, AEA
was awarded $300,000 from
the Department of Energy to
stand up a Commercial Property
Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE
program. AEA is matching
20 percent — total project
$360,000. In summer 2019, AEA
contracted with various entities
for technical and coordination
assistance, and for the
procurement of a market study
on commercial properties across
the state. By 2022, the goal is to
have Alaska C-PACE enabled in
three municipalities in Alaska.
AEA provides a leadership and
coordination role for state
agencies, non-profits, and
local governments through
participation in the Alaska
Energy Efficiency Partnership.
In 2019, more than 200 people
from 40 organizations attended
quarterly AEA coordination
meetings.
Alternative energy and energy efficiency programs have increased statewide knowledge and capacity
around installation and operation of cost-effective energy efficiency projects and renewable systems
by providing technical workshops, hands-on and online training, and technical assistance. AEA is
helping to build the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets through strategic program
development, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis.
Energy Technology Programs
64.1 MW
Since 2012, Alaska’s wind generation
capacity has increased from 15.3 MW to
64.1 MW.
Biomass
AEA’s biomass program has funded over 20
operating woody biomass heating systems for
schools and public buildings. Biomass heat
reduces diesel fuel use and keeps money for fuel
(wood) within the community. Along with the U.S.
Forest Service, the program has funded over 170
preliminary studies to evaluate a community’s
biomass potential and develop sustainable
harvest plans. Biomass is reducing diesel fuel
consumption and creating local jobs.
Hydroelectric
AEA’s hydroelectric program owns or assists
approximately 51 projects throughout the state.
Projects range from concepts to operational
hydroelectric facilities. The hydroelectric
program focuses on improving efficiency and
quality in development, lowering the cost of
construction, and coordinating with State,
federal, municipalities, tribal entities, and private
investors in analyzing, planning, and generally
assisting hydroelectric project development.
Wind
Alaska’s coastline, mountain tops, and passes
have long been studied as locations where wind
can be harvested for energy capture. Today wind
energy accounts for 2.4 percent of the state’s
total energy production and that percentage
is growing. Since 2012, Alaska’s wind energy
capacity has increased 400 percent. This growth
is supported by AEA’s Renewable Energy Fund
and the sharing of information with wind energy
producers and stakeholders. AEA’s Alaska Wind
Working Group and its Wind Advisory Panel meet
regularly over policy issues to advance wind
energy. Funding for wind projects is a frequent
topic at these meetings. AEA’s assistance to
communities evaluating wind energy has often
aided rural community decision-making.
152019 Annual Report to Alaskans
16 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Willow Solar Farm, Willow, Alaska
Among the many energy-related services AEA provides throughout the State is its role as a major funding provider. AEA monitors and updates available energy related external funding sources that meet communities’ needs. The funds are important components in AEA’s portfolio.
Grants and Loans
Power Project Fund
AEA’s Power Project Fund (PPF) loan program
provides local utilities and other qualifying
entities with loans for the development,
expansion or upgrade of electric power facilities,
including transmission, and conferring other
benefits. The PPF loan term is related to project
useful life, but cannot exceed 50 years. The
interest rate calculation for a PPF loan is formula
driven and related to the 30-year taxable
municipal bond yield. On January 27, 2020 the
rate was 3.38 percent. The interest rate can be
adjusted downward in certain circumstances to
improve financial affordability for well valued
projects. Loan requests of more than $5 million
require legislative authorization. In 2019, AEA
closed PPF loans totaling $974,942 with:
f Takotna Community Association (TCA)
Located 17 air miles west of McGrath is the
Village of Takotna. TCA’s scope of work entailed
planning for a permanent powerhouse repair.
f City of Pelican
Pelican is situated 90 miles west of Juneau. The
City of Pelican applied its PPF funds to upgrade
electronic generator controls used by the diesel
and hydroelectric plant.
f Willow Solar Farm Expansion
Approximately 50 miles north of Anchorage sits
Alaska’s largest solar farm. The 1.2 MW Willow
Solar Farm is expected to produce enough
energy for 200 homes and offset 2 million
pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
f Hiilangaay Hydroelectric Project
Just 10 miles east of Hydaburg is a new 5 MW
hydroelectric project under construction. Once
complete, the project will interconnect with the
transmission grid on Prince of Wales Island,
increasing the hydroelectric generation capability.
Total loan program
for Year End 2019
$38,272,784
$38M
Funds disbursed to
construct projects in
outstanding loans
$6.14M
Performing loans
totaling $27,029,641
18
172019 Annual Report to Alaskans
18 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
RivGen® Power System, Igiugig, Alaska
Renewable Energy Fund
The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) exists to help
Alaskans reduce and stabilize the cost of energy
through development of renewable energy
projects. The program is designed to produce
cost-effective renewable energy for heat and
power to benefit Alaskans statewide.
To date, REF has made 287 grants to assess,
develop and/or construct renewable energy
projects statewide. There are now over 90
operating projects built with contributions from
REF, collectively saving more than 30 million
gallons of diesel each year. Annual renewable
energy generation increases each year as more
REF funded projects progress through the
construction phase and become operational.
From 2008 through 2019, $268 million dollars
were made available to REF projects. State
funding has been matched with hundreds of
millions of dollars from other sources to develop
renewable energy projects designed to reduce
and stabilize the cost of energy in Alaska.
AEA expects to solicit applications for renewable
projects to be released in the spring of 2020.
Proposals will be evaluated in 2020, and AEA will
make recommendations to the Legislature for
funding consideration in Fiscal Years 2022 and
2023. While the authorization of the REF grant
program expires on June 30, 2023, if the program
is extended a next solicitation would be made in
March 2022, and every two years thereafter.
amount of applications received, in January 2020
AEA reallocated the $800,000 of Trust funds that
had been intended for marine engine upgrades
to replace school buses. The following school
districts received new school buses: Alaska
Gateway (Tok) (1), Anchorage (13), Juneau (1),
Kake City (2), Kenai Peninsula Borough (7), Kodiak
Island (1), Matanuska-Susitna Borough (4), and
Southeast Island (Prince of Wales Island) (4).
f Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure
(~$1.2 million + match funds)
Alaska intends to allocate 15 percent of the
Trust funds (~$1.2 million) to EV charging
infrastructure over the next few years. AEA has
been working with stakeholders on siting issues
for charging stations to establish an EV charging
corridor, reduce range anxiety, and facilitate EV
adoption. AEA has submitted a grant application
to the Department of Energy to fully lever-age
the State’s Trust funds with federal funding; a
response is anticipated in spring 2020.
Volkswagen Settlement Funds
On January 29, 2018, Alaska became the
beneficiary of a $8.125 million “Volkswagen (VW)
Settlement.” AEA is the State’s lead agency to
develop and implement a Beneficiary Mitigation
Plan to distribute the funds to eligible mitigation
actions that result in a total lifetime reduction of
nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 10.5 short
tons. A number of projects have been selected
thus far to reduce NOx emissions by more than
2.5 times Alaska’s mitigation goal. A summary of
the disbursement of funds underway includes:
f Replacement of Diesel Engines used for
Prime Power (~$813,000 + match funds)
AEA has set aside Trust funds as voluntary match
for AEA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA)
program to fully leverage the federal funds
allocated to the State by the EPA. By contributing
the voluntary match, the State is able to receive
50 percent more EPA DERA funds to replace
diesel engines or gensets in rural powerhouses.
Communities that will replace engines/gensets
are: Anvik (1), Arctic Village (3), Chignik Lake
(2), Chenega Bay (2), Circle (2), Takotna (2), and
Tuluksak (1).
f Public Transit Bus Replacement (~$234,000)
AEA’s solicitation for public transit bus upgrade/
replacement closed June 2019. AEA received one
application from the City and Borough of Juneau,
Capital Transit. Capital Transit will purchase an
all-electric transit bus and associated charging
infrastructure.
f School Bus Replacement (~$4.3 million)
Two requests for applications were released in
2019 for the upgrade/replacement of eligible
diesel school buses. A total of 33 applications
were submitted. Given the public support for
school bus replacement (>50 percent) and the
192019 Annual Report to Alaskans
20 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Highlights*
STATEMENT OF NET POSITION June 30, 2019 June 30, 2018
Assets:
Restricted Investment securities and cash $ 1,204,632 $ 1,212,214
Loans, net 24,742 17,968
Capital assets, net 375,972 369,188
Receivables and other assets 4,244 5,766
Total Assets 1,609,590 1,605,136
Liabilities and net position:
Liabilities
Bonds Payable 74,709 85,179
Other bond liabilities 1,269 1,256
Payables and other liabilities 1,090,582 29,774
Total liabilities 1,166,560 116,209
Net Position 443,030 1,488,927
Total liabilities and net position $ 1,609,590 $ 1,605,136
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Highlights continued on following page.
REVENUES, EXPENSES, AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION June 30, 2019 June 30, 2018
Operating revenues:
Federal grants $ 3,552 $ 3,505
Revenue from operating plants 21,035 21,482
State operating and capital revenues 20,444 16,063
Interest on loans 347 296
Other operating revenues 792 144
Total operating revenues $ 46,170 $ 41,490
*Unaudited — Derived from Audited Financial Statements
**The decrease in net position was largely due to the July 2019 State of Alaska’s Department of Law
opinion that the PCE Endowment Fund was subject to the State’s general fund unobligated fund
balance sweep of certain money into the State’s Constitutional Budget Reserve. On June 30, 2019,
$1.05 billion was swept. Pursuant to legislation the sweep was reversed with an effective date of July 1,
2019. We anticipate the PCE Endowment Fund will be subjected to sweep each fiscal year. Reversal of
the sweep is dependent on legislative action.
REVENUES, EXPENSES, AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION June 30, 2019 June 30, 2018
Operating Expenses:
Grants and projects $ 20,213 $ 30,496
Power cost equalization grants 28,369 26,196
Interest expense 1,746 2,371
Plant operating 5,350 6,772
General and administrative 5,672 4,454
Provision for loan loss 169 15
Loss on disposal of asset - (51)
Depreciation 10,862 15,594
State of Alaska appropriations and transfers 1,097,628 -
Other project expenses - -
Total operating expense 1,170,009 85,847
Operating loss (1,123,839)(44,357)
Investment Income, net 78,008 79,345
State of Alaska reappropriations and transfers (67) (10,067)
Capital contributions 1 2,796
Increase (decrease) in net position $ (1,045,897) $ 27,717 **
212019 Annual Report to Alaskans
22 2019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Julie A. SandePublic Member
Dana PruhsChair, Public Member Bernie KarlVice Chair, Public Member Julie AndersonCommissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Board of Directors
Greg SamorajskiDeputy Commissioner,Department of Revenue
Albert FoglePublic Member Bill KendigPublic Member
T.W. PatchDirector of PlanningCurtis W. ThayerExecutive Director
Executive Staff
Karsten RodvikExternal Affairs Director Tim Sandstrom PMPDirector, Rural Programs Linda Senn, Ph.D.Human Resources Director
Kirk Warren P.E., PMPDirector, Engineering and Energy Development
Amy AdlerController/Assistant Chief Financial Officer
232019 Annual Report to Alaskans
Alaska Energy Authority
813 W Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
(888) 300-8534
info@akenergyauthority.org
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