SB 106-14: Energy Costs Reduction Act (Tabled)

[Senator Spark]

The purpose of this bill is to curtail the massive burden on the average Atlasian taxpayer. In defraying these electricity costs, it will provide Atlasians with more disposable and discretionary income for other expenses. Those expenses will prove essential, especially during these tenuous times.

I also propose the following amendment for the funding of such energy authorities in each region:

Amendment:

Energy Costs Reduction Act

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ATLASIA

To reduce energy costs for the average Atlasian:

Section 1. Purpose

WHEREAS, because many areas of Atlasia precluded from benefiting from earlier efforts made by the federal government to invest in rural electrification throughout regions.

WHEREAS the state's electrical grids are not interconnected to those in other states or territories, and many communities in the state have isolated microgrids.

WHEREAS the isolation of many electric systems throughout the state means that consumers in communities served by those systems cannot benefit from a reduction in energy bills by utilizing lower-cost power from other areas of the state;

WHEREAS the average retail price of electricity in rural communities is the highest. The average cost of electricity per capita is $3,891.

WHEREAS more than 300 of the rural communities are not connected to the railbelt electrical grid or state road system;

WHEREAS, of the countty's residents, 20 percent live in rural communities.

WHEREAS rural communities have virtually no access to natural gas as an energy source for heating and electricity, relying instead primarily on diesel fuel, wood, and renewable energy; and

WHEREAS diesel fuel and gasoline used for heating, electricity, and transportation typically costs from 50 to 100 percent more in communities off the road system compared to those on the road system; and

WHEREAS high energy costs for heating, electricity, and transportation have a multiplying effect, increasing the cost of all goods and services in rural communities; and

WHEREAS the compounded effect of high energy costs and limited economic opportunity result in low-income rural residents paying as much as 40 percent of their annual incomes on home energy needs; and

WHEREAS high energy costs have a negative effect on small and large businesses and industrial and other development; and

WHEREAS improving electric infrastructure, such as transmission, will encourage development of the state's abundant renewable energy sources and enhance system reliability among interconnected communities; and

WHEREAS residents in communities with the highest power costs are unable to shoulder the financial burden of developing large-scale power infrastructure without significant government investment; and

WHEREAS carbon emissions can be lowered through the development of economically feasible renewable energy projects and investment in an electric vehicle charging network; and

WHEREAS the future of the nation's economy will depend, in large part, on affordable electric energy in all parts;

Section 2. Implementation

a. BE IT RESOLVED that the Congress of the Republic requests a creation of a regional Energy Authority, in coordination with utilities throughout the regions and with statewide power and electrical organizations, develop a comprehensive 10-year infrastructure plan to reduce power costs by 25% in areas of the regions that endure extremely high electric and heating costs; and be it

b. FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress requests that the regional Energy Authority deliver a plan for the reduction of power costs in the region to the Senate by May 31, 2022, and notify the legislature that the plan is available.

c. The Congress of the Republic of Atlasia will appropriate $75,000,000 in grants to each region for the establishment of a regional energy authority; these grants shall be up for renewal every 5 years.

d. Said grants cannot be used for any other purposes but to establish the aforementioned energy authorities.

[Senator Spark]

Objection to the motion to table.

[Senator Spark]

I am withdrawing this bill and will reintroduce it after restructuring.

[Senator Spark]

I am withdrawing this bill and will reintroduce it after restructuring.

So this is tabled without new sponsor?

Indeed.