Alaska allocated $32.8 million in final round of federal grid resilience money

The U.S. Department of Energy allocated Alaska about $32.8 million in grid resilience money on Oct. 20, $12.8 million more than the Alaska Energy Authority expected. The authority said in an Oct. 21 release that the allocation is the third largest among states, behind California and Texas.

Curtis Thayer, the authority's CEO and executive director, said in the release that it "reflects both Alaska's infrastructure needs and the importance of continued investment in our electric system."

The money comes from the Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program, funded through the federal infrastructure law. The Department of Energy divided about $967 million nationwide in this final round. The program's formula considers population, land area, the probability and severity of disruptive events and historical spending on mitigation. Alaska's share covers federal fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The money is not yet in hand. The authority said it is working with federal partners to secure the full amount through a timely application, and that doing so requires a $1.8 million state match.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy designated the authority to run the program for the state. Alaska's tribal entities receive their allocations directly.

Alaska had already been awarded $39.8 million under the program, according to the Alaska Energy Authority. Requests for applications in January 2024 and June 2025 selected six projects strengthening transmission and grid resilience from Ketchikan to Fairbanks. The authority said it has award agreements in place for all of that earlier money.

The authority plans a third and final competitive request for applications to pick projects for the new money, following "a similar format and scope as previous solicitations." It has not set a release date. Earlier recipients may apply again.