Dunleavy signs three bills to address high energy costs and promote renewable power in Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed three bills into law Wednesday to help address energy concerns in Alaska such as high costs and a lack of energy diversity.

The bills won’t immediately resolve a looming shortage of natural gas from Cook Inlet, but they create important changes in the right direction, observers said.

The bills are focused on helping the state tap into its energy sources to benefit Alaskans, including in areas such as wind, solar and geothermal power along with traditional fuels like natural gas, Dunleavy said.

The bills will also help set the stage for future initiatives, he said.

“I think we all agree that we’re behind the eight ball, but this helps us catch up,” he said. “And I just would…