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Therriault proposes Alaska energy relief
Alaska Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, said Dec. 13 that he plans to introduce energy rebate legislation in the upcoming Alaska legislative session. The bill, which will be circulated during the first release of pre-filed bills Dec. 30, is designed to help Alaska residents cope with high energy costs.
“Although the high price for a barrel of oil is great for our state treasury,” Therriault said in a statement, “it results in a drastic hit to the pocketbook of every Alaska household.” He said the bill would give a portion of the state’s current budget surplus back to Alaskans through at least one of three methods.
First the senator is proposing an energy rebate of $250 for every citizen of Alaska who qualified for the 2005 Permanent Fund Dividend. By using the list of those pre-approved for the 2005 dividend, the state avoids creating a new list and speeds dispersing of funds to Alaskans for winter heating.
“Whether they heat with gas, oil, electric or wood, all Alaskans are feeling the pinch from the rapid run up of energy prices,” he said. Power cost equalization, winterization The bill would also provide additional funds for the Power Cost Equalization program in the 2006 budget year.
Therriault said he consulted with Sen. Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, in drafting the legislation to cover the expected shortfall in that program and further assist those who live in rural Alaska, where heating fuel reached $5.40 per gallon in one village.
“I appreciate working with Sen. Therriault on this legislation and hope this is the start of a bipartisan effort to make Alaska better,” Kookesh said.
In addition the bill would provide $10 million for the Low Income Weatherization Program, a one-time increase in funding to weatherize more low-income households.
“Providing weatherization assistance sooner rather than later will save energy for these Alaskans from this point forward,” Therriault said. “This is a way to take a very small portion of the current budget surplus and provide a benefit for the recipients year after year.”
Therriault said the amounts in the bill are a starting point that could be adjusted to an appropriate level through the committee process.
—Petroleum News
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