Unalaska, AK – Representative Bryce Edgmon of the 37th district is one of four state legislators being recognized by the environmental advocacy group Alaska Conservation Voters. Edgmon along with Representative Charisse Millett and Senators Lesil McGuire and Bill Wielechowski - all of Anchorage - received high ratings on the groups legislative scorecard.

Edgmon and Millett co-chair the House Energy Committee together, and AVC praised them both for getting a comprehensive energy bill passed. Susanna Orr is the political director for AVC and she explains why Edgmon's political record stood out.

"Bryce, in particular, was a leader in finding affordable energy solutions for rural Alaska," says Orr. "And both Bryce and Charisse through their work as co-chair to the House Special Committee on energy spearheaded S.B. 306, which was the statewide energy policy bill that was passed into law at the end of the 2010 legislative session."

Edgmon says he's pleased to be recognized by the AVC for his work on the energy bill. He also touts one piece of legislation that might be of particular relevance to Unalaskans.

"What House Bill 20 does is it expands the pool of fishermen who would be eligible for the commercial fishermen revolving loan fund, such that a commercial fishermen who is a bona fide Alaska resident and who qualifies for the Division of Investment's loan program can actually go in and get a low-interest rate loan to purchase a new energy efficient engine," says Edgmon. "Right now, the interest rate is about 3 percent, and we've had a great number of fishermen eagerly await the bill signing, which is scheduled for August 18th."

In the coming year, AVC will be focused on expanding previous legislative victories for the group, says Orr.

"I think we as an organization, as well as some of our partner groups would like to see the energy rebate program expanded from individuals and home properties to include upgrades to small businesses," says Orr.

Edgmon has represented the 37th district since 2006. He is running unopposed in this year's election.