WHAT'S NEW:

No recent state activity has been identified.

AIR EMISSIONS REGULATIONS:

Air Quality Status	There are 2 areas in moderate nonattainment with PM-10 standards. EPA's Nonattainment Areas
Major Source Threshold	250 tons of any criteria pollutant in attainment areas. 100 tons of PM or CO in nonattainment areas.
Minor Source Permitting Exemption	PTE less than 100 tpy
Minor Source Treatment	Opacity and PM limits
Emergency Generating Limits	None

 

DE MINIMIS EXEMPTIONS

Emissions units that are considered “insignificant” and do not need an operating permit include the following –

• Have actual emissions of less than 5 tpy of CO, 2 tpy of NOx, 2 tpy of SO2, and 2 tpy of VOCs
• Combustion units (not including internal combustion engines) with a rated capacity less than 4 MMBtu/hr using only natural gas, butane, propane or LPG;
• Combustion units (not including IC engines) less than 350,000 Btu/hr using a commercial fuel containing less than 0.5% sulfur by weight for coal or less than 500,000 Btu/hr at 1% sulfur for other fuels
• Combustion unit less than 1.7 MMBtu/hr (no IC engines) using kerosene, No. 1 fuel oil, or No. 2 fuel oil
• Combustion unit less than 300,000 Btu/hr if burning used oil
• Combustion unit less than 450,000 Btu/hr if burning wood waste or waste paper
• Combustion turbines rated at less than 160 hp

All units, regardless of exemption must meet 20% opacity, 0.05 grains of PM averaged over 3 hours and an SO2 limit of 500 ppm averaged over a 3 hour period.

MINOR SOURCE PERMITTING

Sources with a potential to emit greater than 100 tons per year must obtain a Title V operating permit. If a source wishes to avoid the operating permit the state will issue a minor source permit that includes a fuel or operating limit to ensure the source stays minor. No other controls will be required, but sources are still subject to the opacity and PM limits above.

There is a 30 day public comment period for permits and the whole process can take up to 60 days. Air permitting application forms can be found here.

MAJOR NSR/PSD PERMITTING

A potential to emit 250 tons per year of a criteria pollutant triggers PSD. In the nonattainment areas a potential to emit 100 tons per year of CO or PM triggers NSR.

TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ENGINES

There are no special provisions for emergency units.

SITING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-UTILITY GENERATORS:

In the state of Alaska, the Regulatory Commission only regulates public utilities. Hence on-site electrical generation does not need a certificate from the commission as long as the load is used entirely on-site. However, the sale of excess capacity to the grid would require a Certificate of Public Necessity from the Regulatory Commission.

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

Building Codes: Alaska follows the IBC 2006 with some revisions.

• no state building commission
• Localities may adopt more stringent codes

Energy Codes: Alaska has no commercial energy code. New public buildings must meet the thermal and lighting energy standards adopted by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities under AS44.42.020(a)14.

• The Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard applies only to residential homes and community-owned buildings.

Fire Codes: Alaska follows the IFC 2006 with some revisions.

• State Fire Marshall website
• Localities may adopt more stringent codes
• Some localities have been granted independent review and enforcement rights.

Zoning: For the most part, Alaska boroughs have primary authority on zoning, as enabled by AS 29.40.010 . Boroughs can delegate responsibilities to its cities. Consult each community for zoning requirements in the locality.

Resources (information may not be as current as provided above)

A general overview of each state’s enacted codes can be found HERE.

The International Code Council Adoption page gives state-by-state adoption status of specific ICC codes, as well as information about code adoption by some municipal governments within that state.

Information about energy codes can be found at the DOE’s Building Codes for Energy Efficiency page or at the Building Codes Assistance Project.

INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS:

Had a docket open to consider interconnection standards pursuant to EPAct 2005, but decided to take no action in August 2007. See the following for more information, http://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/Dockets/DocketDetails.aspx?id=488a99ec-2008-43cc-b466-fd3abeffac93.

Homer Electric Association Inc.: There are no interconnection standards in place.

Golden Valley Electric Association Inc.: Power equipment must meet UL and IEEE standards. There are several levels of interconnection. Customers must bear any costs associated with equipment upgrades necessary for interconnection. A disconnect device is required, but will be provided by GVEA. Additionally, customers must have liability insurance, but no specific amount is given. GVEA interconnection specifications can be accessed here. There are also separate interconnection requirements for those systems that qualify under GVA's Sustainable Natural Alternative Power Producer's program (SNAP). More information can be found here.

EXIT FEES:

Alaska has no statewide policy on exit fees.

UTILITY STANDBY RATES:

Alaska does not have a statewide policy on standby rates.

Golden Valley Electric Assn Inc - there is a standby rate applicable to sites that are below 50 kW in the form of a capacity payment per kVa. For sites that are above 50 kW there is no standby rate and they would be charged under the regular rate for their facility size. Regular rates have high demand and energy charges, with demand being based on the maximum 15 minute demand of the month. Rate available at: http://www.gvea.com/billing/rates.php