The Alaska Energy Authority is planning on hosting two public meetings on the state’s application for the annual allocation of approximately $12.1 million made available through the United States Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program to improve the resiliency of the electric grid infrastructure against disruptive events. Under this Program, Alaska is expected to receive $60 million over five years to strengthen grid resilience.
The Program will be administered through the AEA, as designated by the Governor. It’s funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program provides $2.3 billion in formula grants to States and Indian Tribes to improve the resilience of electric grids. These public meetings only will be addressing Alaska’s annual allocation of $12.1 million in formula grant funds as, according to a press release, Alaska’s Tribal entities have been allocated their own funding.
AEA’s objective is to improve the resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events, which are defined as “an event in which operations of the electric grid are disrupted, preventively shut off, or cannot operate safely due to extreme weather, wildfire, or a natural disaster.” Those who are eligible to apply for subawards under the program include electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, and transmission owners or operators that hold a Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience as issued by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
The Alaska Energy Authority is focusing on building upon existing efforts in the state and extend existing funding to improve the electric grid infrastructure. The corporation is focusing on the ability to withstand and recover from grid disruptions.
The two meetings will be held at AEA’s office located in Anchorage. Participants may join in person or virtually.
- Wednesday, September 7 from 1-2 p.m. (Alaska Time)
- Tuesday, September 13 from 11 a.m.-noon (Alaska Time)
Additionally, a draft plan for public comment will be provided in advance of the meeting on September 7. Comments will be included into the plan which will be submitted to the Department of Energy on September 30, 2022.
NOTE: For public meeting participant information, comment submissions, and program updates, visit www.akenergyauthority.