A Renewable Portfolio Standard for Alaska’s Railbelt

Alaska Common Ground and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) co-hosted this discussion with Alaskan energy policy experts on Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation that has been introduced in both the Alaska State House and Senate in the 2025 legislative session. House Bill 153 and its companion Senate Bill 149 would establish an RPS for Alaska’s Railbelt, requiring the region’s electric utilities to diversify their generation portfolios and generate an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources over the coming years. REAP and its partners have been developing and advocating for Railbelt RPS legislation for more than three years, both in an effort to promote home-grown solutions to impending shortfalls in supply of Cook Inlet natural gas and to secure myriad benefits that would come from stimulating the development of an in-state renewable energy industry.This in-depth discussion covers the pending RPS legislation; the problems it would solve and the benefits it would bring; the importance of passing it this session in order to help frame ongoing utility negotiations for gas import contracts; and how you can help promote this important policy solution.

This event is part of REAP’s 2025 Spring Energy Speaker Series. Learn more about REAP and their work here.