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Utility Rates

Utility Rates in Alaska is the cost utilities charge for electricity, natural gas, heating fuel, water and sewer service. It covers rate cases before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, Railbelt and rural electric cooperatives, and municipal water and wastewater systems.

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Week of May 18

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.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Petersburg faces 53% wastewater rate hikes over 5 years for major projects

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.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Kenai proposes 4% water/sewer rate hike to fund aging infrastructure

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.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Petersburg sewer rates to rise 20% as EPA bans mixing zone

Week of May 11

Senate Finance reviews bill to double bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5M

Senate Finance heard a bill to double the bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5 million for rural Alaska communities facing higher seasonal fuel costs.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
State Capitol, Juneau, Alaska
Cover image for article: Senate Finance reviews bill to double bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5M

Alaska House Committee Advances Cryptocurrency Kiosk Regulations After Scam Victims Lose Millions

Alaska House advanced a bill requiring cryptocurrency kiosk licenses and $1,000 daily limits after Alaskans lost $26 million to online scams in 2024.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Juneau, Alaska
Cover image for article: Alaska House Committee Advances Cryptocurrency Kiosk Regulations After Scam Victims Lose Millions

Unalaska council to hear appeal in TSYS business dispute May 12

Unalaska City Council will hear a business appeal involving TSYS on May 12 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, with details available on the city website.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago1 min read
43 Raven Way, Unalaska

Week of May 4

Alaska House panel debates insurance gaps for gig delivery drivers

The House Labor and Commerce Committee is debating Senate Bill 35 to require delivery companies to provide $1 million in liability insurance for gig drivers.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago4 min read
Juneau, Alaska
Cover image for article: Alaska House panel debates insurance gaps for gig delivery drivers

Week of Apr 27

House panel advances travel insurance consumer protection bill

Alaska House panel advanced HB 302 to update travel insurance rules for the first time since 2013, joining 42 states with stronger consumer protections.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
Juneau, AK, USA
Cover image for article: House panel advances travel insurance consumer protection bill

More from Utility Rates

Week of Apr 20

Alaska lawmakers hear warnings of rural fuel crisis, weigh loan program expansion

Rural Alaska diesel prices hit $17 per gallon and could jump 30 to 50 percent higher this year due to Middle East supply disruptions. • Lawmakers heard the state's $20 to $22 million bulk fuel loan program may need to double its funding to help communities cope. • A Jones Act waiver expiring in May and a compressed fuel delivery window in June or July add urgency to the crisis.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago5 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Alaska lawmakers hear warnings of rural fuel crisis, weigh loan program expansion

Senate panel hears data center safeguards, tribal education bill

Senate panel heard testimony on a bill requiring data centers to cover their own infrastructure costs and protect Alaska ratepayers from fuel supply risks and rate increases.

Alaska Newsby Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Cover image for article: Senate panel hears data center safeguards, tribal education bill

State regulators extend review periods for Railbelt utility tariffs

Alaska regulators extended review timelines for rate changes from Chugach Electric and Enstar Natural Gas serving Southcentral Alaska.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
Alaska

Rural Alaska Electricity Costs Run Three to Five Times Urban Rates

Rural Alaskans pay three to five times more for electricity than urban residents because remote villages rely on expensive diesel microgrids, despite state renewable energy plans.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Rural Alaska Electricity Costs Run Three to Five Times Urban Rates

Week of Apr 13

Remote Alaska villages pay $6.63 per gallon as fuel costs strain budgets

Remote Alaska villages paid an average of $6.63 per gallon for gasoline this winter, straining household budgets as barge transport and small order volumes drive costs far above road-connected areas.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Remote Alaska villages

About Utility Rates

Utility rates in Alaska take in what households and businesses pay for electricity, natural gas, heating fuel, water, sewer and trash service. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska reviews rate cases and tariffs for many utilities, while city councils and assemblies set rates for municipal systems.

Railbelt electric cooperatives such as Golden Valley Electric, Matanuska Electric Association and Homer Electric Association pass fuel and purchased power costs through to members, and the supply of Cook Inlet natural gas shapes their bills. Village utilities add fuel surcharges that can change sharply with the cost of diesel.

Recurring questions include monthly bill increases, prepaid and community solar options, harbor and passenger fees, and charges for disconnection. The Anchorage water utility, AWWU, files its water and sewer rates with state regulators.