State seeks public comment on air quality report by June 1

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments through June 1 on a federally required report tracking the state's progress on reducing haze that affects visibility.

The 2026 Regional Haze Progress Report documents Alaska's efforts under the Clean Air Act to improve air quality and visibility. The department must submit the report to the Environmental Protection Agency after the public comment period closes.

Alaskans can submit written comments to Morgan Frank at the Division of Air Quality, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501. Comments are also accepted by email at [email protected] or through the department's online portal at dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/FormalComments. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. on June 1, 2026.

The department has tentatively scheduled a public hearing for June 1 from noon to 1 p.m. by teleconference. The hearing will only take place if someone requests it by 5 p.m. on May 21. To request the hearing, call Dawn Laster at 907-269-0065 or email [email protected]. If no one requests a hearing by that date, the department will cancel it and post notice by May 22.

The full report is available at dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/regional-haze. Paper copies can be viewed at DEC offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau by appointment.

The Clean Air Act requires the comment period, but the department will not prepare written responses to comments received.