This project's goals are: work with communities to develop and release a request for proposals for engineering design

The U.S. Forest Service awarded $369,302 to the Alaska Energy Authority (operating as Aidea) on September 16, 2025, under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674) to support wood energy market development and forest treatment product commercialization in Alaska. Through this three-year project with completion scheduled for September 30, 2028, the awardee will provide technical assistance to multiple Alaskan communities for engineering design services related to combined heat and power systems and wood energy infrastructure. Key deliverables include developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for engineering design, creating design packages, facilitating strategic stakeholder meetings across Alaska's wood product sectors, and building sustainable local markets for forest treatment products.

The project advances dual forest management and energy objectives by supporting the commercialization of products from hazardous fuels reduction and forest health improvement activities. By bundling multiple communities and validating fuel availability, the initiative will facilitate the progression of engineering designs toward construction projects that reduce fossil fuel reliance while creating stable, long-term operational support for wood processing and energy facilities. This technical assistance effort directly supports the Wood Utilization Assistance program's nationwide focus on strengthening forest products markets and supporting sustainable forest management through wood energy development.

Provide technical assistance for creating a design package. Progress communities towards construction projects that will decrease the reliance on fossil fuels. Build markets for the products of forest treatments aimed at improving forest, health, reducing wildfire hazard, and improving wildlife habitat. Conduct strategic meetings with stakeholders and develop relationships across the alaskan wood product sectors to encourage early validation of fuel availability and long-term operational support for existing facilities. This project will bundle multiple communities and expand local markets for wood through hazardous fuels reduction.