This bill establishes the Rural Energy Infrastructure Organization as a division of the Alaska Energy Authority, aimed at planning, financing, developing, and managing electric transmission and generation facilities in rural priority areas. The organization will focus on providing affordable and reliable power to rural communities, particularly those in the unorganized borough that are eligible for power cost equalization. The bill amends existing laws to include new provisions for the organization, such as the creation of a rural energy infrastructure advisory body composed of members with relevant expertise and experience in rural energy systems.

Additionally, the bill modifies the Alaska affordable energy fund to specify that it will support energy infrastructure development in eligible communities and increases the number of public members on the board of directors of the Alaska Energy Authority from six to seven. It also outlines the powers of the authority, including the ability to enter into contracts related to power projects and to create a rural energy infrastructure fund to manage financial resources for the organization. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB0285A, AM SB 285, introduced 04/15/2026: 37.05.610, 42.45.100, 42.45.150, 44.83.030, 42.05.790, 42.45.310, 44.83.070, 44.83.080, 44.83.700, 44.83.720, 44.83.750, 44.83.090, 44.83.380, 44.83.425, 44.83.770, U.S.C, 18.55.996, 44.62.310, 44.62.319, 44.83.780, 37.10.071, 44.83.790, 44.83.930