I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1, 23, and 24 of the Alaska Constitution, hereby establish the Office of Energy Innovation within the Office of the Governor.
BACKGROUND
The State of Alaska has a vested interest in securing safe, sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy resources for all Alaskans. Indeed, recent destabilizing events around the world have brought forward the importance of energy independence. Additionally, domestic energy production plays a vital role in providing local jobs and expanding the state and national economies.
While Alaska’s oil and gas reserves have always been and will continue to be a vital component of the State’s resource portfolio, our vast solar, wind, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, biodiesel, microreactor, carbon capture utilization and storage, and hydrogen production opportunities must not be overlooked. Developing innovative, sustainable, and renewable technologies through a collaborative approach will help secure Alaska’s energy independence and its position as a national and world energy leader.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Office of Energy Innovation is to:
- Develop policies that enable Alaska to capitalize on its vast energy potential in order to lower the cost of energy and enhance the stability of energy delivered to Alaskans.
- Coordinate efforts to provide a variety of innovative tools and resources to deliver safe, sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy for Alaska.
- Collaborate with public and private institutions to develop pragmatic, market-driven solutions that enable innovative energy production, including nuclear and renewable energy sources. This includes a focus on supporting Alaska-based research and development, ensuring we build the knowledge and capacity for economic growth founded on environmental stewardship benefitting future generations of Alaskans.
- Assist all of our communities in accessing innovative technology and necessary funding to secure low-cost reliable energy. This will foster economic development and diversification, attract additional investment, and support workforce training and development.
- Support efforts that enhance Alaska’s role in a national clean energy future through the development of a strong and responsible critical minerals mining program and the investment in emerging energy technologies.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To accomplish this purpose the Office of Energy Innovation shall:
- Develop policies to support the centralization and coordination of the state’s efforts to provide safe, sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy resources for all Alaskans.
- Serve as the point of contact in the Governor’s Office for interested parties who are in the business of developing innovative solutions for sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy including:
a. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development;
b. Department of Natural Resources;
c. Alaska Gasline Development Corporation;
d. Alaska Energy Authority;
e. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation;
f. Regulatory Commission of Alaska;
g. University of Alaska;
h. U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories;
i. U.S. Departments of Defense, Commerce, Energy, Agriculture, and the Interior;
j. Alaska Power Association; and
k. Borough and municipal governments, Alaska Native regional and village corporations, Tribes and Tribal organizations. - Serve as the curator of a data portal that will aggregate all information regarding activities undertaken by the State to foster innovative solutions for safe, sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy.
- Create marketing materials and presentations that describe the state’s innovative energy efforts and opportunities, including federal and state financial incentive programs.
- Review existing or proposed programs, policies, and regulations that affect the understanding and development of innovative energy technologies with application in Alaska and recommend to the Governor methods to improve the coordination and implementation of the programs, policies, and regulations.
- Formulate working groups as needed to effectuate the purpose and duties of the AO.
- 7. Serve as the Governor’s liaison for any task force that may be formed by the Governor to facilitate the work of the Office of Energy Innovation.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Consistent with law and available appropriations, the Office of the Governor shall use existing personnel and monetary resources to implement this Order.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Order takes effect immediately.
DATED this 30th day of September 2022.
