(Anchorage) - The newly appointed Alaska Energy Policy Task Force will convene its first meeting on Tuesday, September 23, at the AIDEA boardroom in Anchorage.

The Task Force was established to:

1. Review and analyze the state's current and long-term energy needs.
2. Consider how best to incorporate state-owned Railbelt energy assets as part of the solution for the Railbelt's current and long-term electrical needs.
3. Address elements of Alaska's long-term energy needs that can be solved through action on the part of industry and/or government actions, such as pooling and integrated resource planning.
4. Develop a long-term energy plan to efficiently enhance Alaska's economic future.

Although interim reports can be made at any time, final findings regarding a Railbelt energy plan are to be reported to the legislature by December 21, 2003. Reports of task force findings for non Railbelt areas shall be submitted by March 31, 2004.

The Energy Policy Task Force consists of nine members. Governor Murkowski appointed Rick Eckert of Homer, General Manager of Homer Electric Association and Wayne Carmony of Wasilla, General Manager of Matanuska Electric Association. Speaker of the House Kott appointed former Lt. Governor H.A. "Red" Boucher of Anchorage, a board member of Chugach Electric Association and Dave Carlson of Petersburg, Intertie Coordinator of the Southeast Conference. Senate President Therriault appointed Steve Haagenson of Fairbanks, President and CEO of Golden Valley Electric Association and Robert Wilkinson of Glennallen, General Manager of Copper Valley Electric Association. In accordance with the language of HCR 21, an appointee representing the House and Senate Legislative Minorities will be selected by the Senate President from a list of three submitted by the minority leaders. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) member will be Mike Barry of Anchorage, Chairman of the AEA Board. The Department of Revenue member will be Tom Boutin of Juneau, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. Chosen as proscribed in HCR 21, no legislators may serve, no utility may have more than one representative and at least one member on the Task Force is from a non-Railbelt electrical utility.

Becky Gay, staff to Representative John Harris, will provide coordination and legislative staff support. Bernie Smith, a former Regulatory Commissioner and now Project Manager at AIDEA/AEA, will provide research and regulatory guidance. The Task Force is headquartered at the AIDEA/AEA building at the corner of Northern Lights and Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage.

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