House Energy Committee adopts substitute for omnibus energy bill amid debate over utility wildfire‑liability and right‑of‑way powers

Juneau — The Alaska House Energy Committee on March 19 adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 369, the committee’s omnibus energy bill, and heard extended testimony from utilities and staff on provisions that would limit utility liability for wildfires when a utility adopts a wildland fire mitigation plan.

Co‑Chair Donna Mears opened the meeting and the committee adopted Version G of the CS (work order 34 LS1521G) as a working document after a procedural objection was withdrawn. Sponsor and Co‑Chair Representative Kai Holland and committee staff said Version G reflects stakeholder feedback and incorporates language originally derived from House Bill 252 while removing some earlier, more prescriptive requirements for the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA).

"Version G of the bill resulted from sharing draft language with numerous stakeholders, including utility partners, the Rail Belt Reliability Council and other community members," Holland said, describing drafts that narrowed and reworked prior language.

Tim Truer, staff to Rep. Holland, walked the committee through the changes in Version G. Key edits summarized by Truer included removing a proposed RCA process for pre‑clearing diversified energy projects, lowering a proposed local‑control cap so certain renewable projects would be eligible to proceed without RCA approval only if they are 7 megawatts or smaller (down from earlier,…