ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Fifty percent renewable electricity by 2025 is one of the goals for a state-wide energy policy passed into law Wednesday.

Gov. Sean Parnell signed two energy bills that aim to create a long-term energy efficient vision. House Bill 306 establishes a state energy policy and Senate Bill 220 sets programs to implement that policy.

For the past two years, both pieces of legislation went through a public process that involved hearings in communities across the state.

"Alaska decision makers will now have this clear path of vision," said Parnell.

House bill 306, sponsored by the House Energy Committee, sets a goal for Alaska to get 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2025. It was drafted by a group of 16 energy experts, including Chris Rose, who says the state now has a long term vision on energy.

"The more non-fuel resources you have, whether it be wind, biomass, that you don't have to pay for the fuel, the less you have to worry about the volatility of fossil fuel prices," said Rose.

House Bill 306 goes hand-in-hand with Senate Bill 220, otherwise known as the Alaska Sustainable Energy Act.

Senate Bill 220 mandates older public buildings to make energy efficient improvements that will be funded through a loan program expected to create $250 million in bonds.

"We're taking $18 million of fed stimulus money, we're using that as seed money to create a revolving loan fund which will allow organizations around states to weatherize public buildings," said Sen. Bill Wielechowski, Senate Resources Committee.

Among the programs designed to implement the state energy policy are establishing a new emerging energy technology fund, offering small businesses loan programs and a study to consider using compressed natural gas to power Alaska vehicles.

"While we live in one of the most robust states in the U.S., average Alaskans are suffering," said Sen. Lesil McGuire, Senate Resources Committee.

Parnell says he expects the legislation to create up to 2,000 jobs in the construction industry as energy efficient improvements are made to buildings across the state.

The governor says he hopes work will be completed by 2020. All projects are expected to gain savings within 15 years.