Superior Court judge rules to resume funding for Power Cost Equalization program

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - On Wednesday, August 11, a Superior Court Judge in Anchorage ruled in favor of funding the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program.

The program provides funding for power in certain areas in Alaska, allowing for affordable energy costs in rural parts of the state.

PCE funding was cut off at the beginning of July when the state legislature failed to meet a vote requirement that Governor Mike Dunleavy argued is necessary.

In a press release on August 12, the governor announced that he will not appeal the ruling.

According to the release, the ruling said that payments for the program can be made immediately.

Dunleavy said his administration welcomed the clarity brought by Judge Josie Garton’s decision.

The governor has proposed moving the PCE program into the General Fund’s corpus, arguing that it protects the endowment from these kinds of funding lapses.

The legislature is scheduled to consider this action at a Special Session beginning August 16th.

Copyright 2021 KTVF. All rights reserved.