DOE plans $150 million for Alaska transmission project
The U.S. Department of Energy plans to provide up to $150 million in Defense Production Act funding for the Beluga-Healy Transmission Project, a $418 million expansion of Alaska’s transmission grid.
Led by the Alaska Energy Authority, the project will build approximately 223 miles of high-voltage transmission line between Beluga and Healy, creating a second connection between Southcentral and Interior Alaska. The project includes $268 million in non-federal funding.
DOE said the additional transmission route will improve grid reliability for communities and major military installations across an area serving approximately 75% of Alaska’s population while supporting growing electricity demand.
“Alaska’s weather is unforgiving, and its grid needs another way to keep power moving,” said Katie Jereza, assistant secretary for DOE’s Office of Electricity. “Beluga-Healy will provide that critical second route, helping protect communities from disruptions and meet growing demand.”
Federal policy identifies transmission lines, substations, and power-control and protection equipment as critical national-security infrastructure.
Source: energy.gov
