Chugachmiut selected for federal tribal energy funding

The Chugachmiut tribal consortium, representing seven Alaska Native communities, has been selected for negotiations under a $125 million Department of Energy initiative. The funding aims to improve electrical reliability and explore energy alternatives for communities in the Chugach region.

The application specifically focuses on Port Graham, a community accessible only by air or boat. Currently, Port Graham and Nanwalek receive electricity from the Homer Electric Association via a combination of underwater submarine cables across Kachemak Bay and overhead transmission lines. Because these communities lack road access, power interruptions caused by the existing infrastructure pose significant challenges.

This selection follows previous efforts to strengthen the local grid, including a 2024 federal grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs used to study the feasibility of solar power and battery energy storage systems in Port Graham, Nanwalek, and Tatitlek.