High energy cost grant

The Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service awarded Alaska Energy Authority (doing business as Aidea) five million dollars on January 30, 2026, under the Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities program (CFDA 10.859), a Project Grant supporting energy infrastructure in extremely high energy cost communities.

The award funds acquisition, construction, extension, upgrade, and improvement of energy infrastructure serving Anchorage, Alaska. Performance runs through January 30, 2028. Alaska Energy Authority is a state government entity and child of the State of Alaska that delivers energy infrastructure development and energy efficiency services to rural Alaskan communities. The organization operates as Alaska's designated energy office and energy planning authority, sub-awarding portions of federal grants to local entities including Native Village Councils, municipal governments, and tribal organizations.

Eligible communities under the program are those where average home energy costs exceed 275 percent of the national average under RUS high energy cost benchmarks. Grant agreements typically run for three years, with extensions available for good cause shown at RUS discretion. The authority to make awards is reserved to the Administrator of the USDA Rural Utilities Service.