HomeMy WebLinkAboutRenewable Energy Fund Quick Fact Sheet 02-11-2021-REFRENEWABLE ENERGY FUND
REF
Legislative
Appropriations
to Date:
Railbelt Projects:
$34M Non-
Railbelt
Projects:$248M
~$138M in
applicant
matching
funds to date
Over 95
operational
REF projects
CURRENT STATUS
There are 11 Renewable Energy Fund (REF) grants under consideration for funding by the 32
Legislature, as submitted for recommendation by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) in
consultation with the Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Committee (REFAC): six are for
reconnaissance/feasibility, two for design/permitting and three funded through construction.
These 11 projects total an aggregate grant funding request of $4.75 million:
•City of Unalaska wind power feasibility -$139,000
•Nuyakuk river run-of-river hydro project (Dillingham) -$1 million
•Naknek wind and solar power feasibility and conceptual design -$103,500
•Cordova hydro storage assessment reconnaissance and feasibility -$294,462
•Goodnews Bay wind energy feasibility and conceptual design -$128,250
•Kotlik wind energy feasibility and conceptual design -$237,500
•Improved airfoil for wind turbines construction (Kongiganak) -$108,000
•Shungnak heat recovery expansion construction -$1.3 million
•Kotzebue community-scale energy storage system -$325,000
•Water Supply Creek hydro final design (Hoonah) -$461,474
•Walter Northway School woodchip heating system construction -$650,000
AEA posted its 2020 REF Request For Applications in late July of 2020 —21 applications
were received and 10 applications were denied as part of the REF four-stage evaluation
process. Legislative appropriation of REF funds for the 11 recommended applications will
likely occur in early summer 2021.
REFAC is a statutorily designated advisory body comprised of nine members, five of whom
are appointed by the governor to staggered three-year terms. The four remaining members
come from the legislature: two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two members of the Senate, appointed by the
Senate President.
REFAC MEMBERS
•Small Utility Representative –Meera Kohler, CEO, AVEC
•Large utility Representative –Lee Thibert, CEO, Chugach
•Alaska Native Organization –Gail Schubert, CEO, Bering Straits Native Corporation
•Business/Organizations Engaged in Renewable Energy –Vacant
•Denali Commission –Alicia Siira, Executive Director, Associated General Contractors of Alaska
•Senator Natasha von Imhof –District L
•Senator David Wilson –District D
•Representative Tiffany Zulkosky –District 38
•Representative Adam Wool –District 5
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Alaska State Legislature created the REF in 2008, with the intent to appropriate $50
million annually for five years. This legislation placed Alaska at or near the forefront of the 50
states in funding for renewable energy projects. The Legislature authorized AEA to manage
the REF project application process, project evaluations, recommendations, completion of
grant agreements, and disbursement of funds to grantees. The Legislature extended the REF
for an additional 10 years in 2012. The Program’s sunset provision is scheduled for 2023.
February 2021
QUICK FACTS
FOR MORE INFO
CONTACT:
INFO@
AKENERGYAUTHORITY.ORG
907.771.3000
AKENERGYAUTHORITY.ORG
REDUCING THE COST
OF ENERGY IN ALASKA