May 1, 2024
Alaska Native News
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded over $20 million to six Alaska communities for clean energy projects. These projects, part of the Energy Improvement in Rural and Remote Areas (ERA) grant program, will install solar PV systems, battery storage, and heat pumps to reduce energy costs, enhance climate resilience, and support local economies.
April 30, 2024
Anchorage Daily News
Chugach Electric board members Mark Wiggin and Sam Cason warn against the dangers of procrastination and diversion in addressing Alaska's energy future, emphasizing the need to take urgent action to solve Southcentral Alaska’s gas supply issue. Addressing the crisis will take a multi-pronged approach, including conserving current gas supplies, boosting renewables, and upgrading energy infrastructure.
April 23, 2024
Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Senate unanimously approved a measure enabling Alaskans to collectively invest in renewable energy projects. Subscribers can now share the benefits if the project generates surplus electricity sold to local utilities.
April 22, 2024
Gwen Holdmann
Alaskan energy researcher Gwen Holdmann delves into today's energy transition by stepping back in time to examine the last big one—electrification. Gwen explores the impacts and challenges large-scale energy transition can bring through the words and voices of those who experienced it firsthand in rural Alaska.
The DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs has earmarked $8.8 million for Alaska Native Regional and Village corporations and other Tribes via the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. With no matching requirement, this non-competitive funding has already allocated $10,000 - $30,000 to each of the 421 Alaskan regional and village corporations. These funds can be utilized for building upgrades, renewable energy installations, and climate and energy planning initiatives.
April 22, 2024
Anchorage Daily News
Railbelt utility managers Arthur Miller, Tony Izzo, John Burns, and Brad Janorschke emphasize the necessity of modernizing Alaska’s Railbelt grid. Upgrading transmission infrastructure between regions will improve reliability, reduce consumer costs, and will help bring renewables online. The group stresses the importance of securing federal funding for these upgrades and thanks Alaska Legislators for their efforts to ensure Alaskans benefit from this opportunity.
April 9, 2024
Alaska Public Media
Amidst a declining Cook Inlet gas producer market, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory released a report saying that prioritizing expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind farms will be cheaper for the Railbelt electric grid. Leveraging existing federal tax credits could further slash renewable project costs by up to 40%.
In April 2024, Stebbins and Saint Michael fuel costs were about $7.41 per gallon. A collaboration between Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AVEC) and Stebbins Native Corporation, co-funded by DOE, aims to provide 50% of the communities' energy needs with wind power, powering around 328 buildings. This effort avoids around 104,700 gallons of diesel fuel annually, cutting emissions significantly, equivalent to removing 207 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year.
March 21, 2024
Alaska Public Media
Alaska submitted its first Sustainable Energy Action Plan to the federal government. The plan focuses on cutting emissions by promoting renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency. It outlines initiatives like expanding hydroelectric projects and funding home weatherization. Advocates see it as a positive start to making energy more affordable, especially in rural areas.
March 19, 2024
Utility Dive
A new report finds huge potential for pumped storage hydropower in Alaska. Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified more than 1,800 sites with the necessary geography with total storage capacity of about 4 terawatt hours, nearly equal to the amount of energy sold on the Railbelt grid in 2021.
