Utility Rates
RSSRegulatory Commission of Alaska rulings, Railbelt utility rate cases, heating oil delivery, rural electric cooperative rate fights
Data center project promises rate relief amid public concerns over noise, power
Cryptocurrency data center would generate $2 million yearly and stabilize electric rates using existing power. • Residents worry about noise, fire safety, and power availability for future housing growth. • Company says facility quieter than old cannery equipment and willing to cut operations during peak demand.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago3 min read
Petersburg faces 53% wastewater rate hikes over 5 years for major projects
Petersburg wastewater rates to rise 53.5% over five years starting 2027 to fund three major projects worth 18.5 million dollars. • Average monthly bill jumps from 62.54 to 75.05 dollars in year one. • Assembly wants alternative rate schedules with flatter increases before voting.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago3 min read
Kenai proposes 4% water/sewer rate hike to fund aging infrastructure
Kenai proposes 4% water and sewer rate hike starting July 2026 to fund wastewater plant overhaul planned for 2029. • City losing 340,000 dollars annual revenue and facing higher chemical and staffing costs. • Rates remain among Alaska's lowest. Last increase was in fiscal year 2025. • Council will hold public hearing before final budget vote in May.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Petersburg sewer rates to rise 20% as EPA bans mixing zone
Petersburg Assembly approved 20% sewer rate hike starting July 2026, adding $12 monthly to residential bills. • EPA banned mixing zones for wastewater, requiring $12-15 million in new treatment equipment. • Borough got $8 million federal funding but faces additional 10% annual increases through 2030. • Nine Alaska cities including Anchorage face similar EPA mandates.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska House Committee Advances Cryptocurrency Kiosk Regulations After Scam Victims Lose Millions
The Alaska House Labor and Commerce Committee voted Wednesday to advance consumer protection legislation requiring licensing, transaction limits, and fraud warnings on cryptocurrency kiosks after scammers stole $26 million from Alaskans in 2024.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read
Senate Finance reviews bill to double bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5M
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony Thursday on legislation to double the maximum bulk fuel loan from $750,000 to $1.5 million and eliminate pooled loan caps, responding to rising fuel costs in rural Alaska.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Unalaska council to hear appeal in TSYS business dispute May 12
Unalaska City Council will hold a public hearing May 12, 2026, on a TSYS business appeal that could affect payment processing and merchant services in the Aleutian port community.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min readAlaska House panel debates insurance gaps for gig delivery drivers
The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony Friday on Senate Bill 35, which would require delivery network companies to provide $1 million in liability coverage when drivers are actively delivering, but leaves a coverage gap when the app is open but no delivery is accepted.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
House panel advances travel insurance consumer protection bill
The Alaska House Transportation Committee moved HB 302 forward Tuesday, legislation that would modernize the state's travel insurance regulations to align with national standards adopted by 42 other states.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Alaska lawmakers hear warnings of rural fuel crisis, weigh loan program expansion
The House Energy Committee heard testimony about fuel supply challenges facing rural Alaska communities and discussed potential expansions to the state's Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund.
by Alaska News5mo ago5 min read
Senate panel hears data center safeguards, tribal education bill
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 250, which would require data centers to cover their own infrastructure costs and protect existing ratepayers from fuel supply risks and rate increases.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
State regulators extend review periods for Railbelt utility tariffs
Alaska regulators extended review periods for Railbelt utility tariff filings and set procedural schedules for rate cases involving Chugach Electric and Enstar Natural Gas.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readRural Alaska Electricity Costs Run Three to Five Times Urban Rates
Rural Alaska residents pay electricity costs three to five times higher than urban areas due to diesel-powered microgrids and fuel delivery challenges in remote villages.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Remote Alaska villages pay $6.63 per gallon as fuel costs strain budgets
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read