Alaska

Legislation Passed
Electric N Gas N

Electric
Overview

• No retail unbundling program for residential customers is being considered at this time, either by the Alaska Public Utilities Commission or the state legislature. Only commercial and industrial customers are able to purchase gas directly and have it transported by utilities.
• 1998-1999: Alaska HCR 34 established a joint committee on electric utility restructuring in May 1998, and HR 6 established a House special committee on restructuring in January 1999. A bill providing for retail choice beginning January 1, 2001 was also introduced that year, but did not pass. In April 1999, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) opened Docket R-97-10, In the Matter of the Consideration of Regulations to Define Future Market Structure of Alaska's Electric Industry, to determine the appropriate roles for competition and regulation in Alaska's electric industry.
• 2001-present: The RCA decided to defer any further consideration of retail electric utility restructuring and competition in Alaska. The RCA order stated that "projections of any potential benefits are too speculative at this time. Important factors such as natural gas supply, power transmission capacity, and technological improvements may significantly change the dynamics for future competition." The commission indicated that the only restructuring-related activity they would continue would be to monitor the regulated Railbelt electric market.

Natural Gas
Overview

• No retail unbundling program for residential customers is being considered at this time by either the Alaska Public Utilities Commission or the state legislature. Only commercial and industrial customers are able to purchase gas directly and have it transported by utilities.

Utility Regulatory Commission
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
907-276-6222
www.state.ak.us/rca/

Consumer advocate
Consumer Protection
1-800-390-2782
www.state.ak.us/rca/cp.htm