National Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks sign energy partnership

The National Lab of the Rockies and University of Alaska Fairbanks signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to expand their partnership on critical minerals development and energy infrastructure challenges unique to Alaska.

The agreement builds on an existing National Lab office in Fairbanks established in 2000, now expanding its scope to focus on critical minerals, energy and power, and energy infrastructure. The partnership will leverage UAF's Alaska Center for Energy and Power and Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative to address what officials described as Alaska's distinct energy challenges.

"We have a longstanding partnership, but as the Assistant Secretary said, now is the time to refresh it," Dr. Audrey Vernon said. "We're going to focus it on critical minerals, energy and power, and energy infrastructure for the State of Alaska."

Vernon represents the National Lab of the Rockies, which employs 3,000 staff members and is one of 17 national labs nationwide.

A representative from UAF said the partnership will create new workforce development pathways ranging from two-year degrees through PhD programs to support Alaska's growing energy and critical minerals industries.

"This partnership is going to allow us to combine our expertise and go in new directions, building on the partnership that we already have in place," the UAF representative said. "We also envision that the partnership will have new workforce possibilities all the way from two-year degrees up to PhDs that can help support this growing industry in the state."