US Announces $150 Million for Alaska Transmission Project

The Trump administration announced $150 million in federal funding for a planned Alaska transmission project intended to connect the state’s southcentral region with its interior, bringing the project’s stated total cost to $400 million, according to an administration official. The funding is being provided under the Defense Production Act, the Energy Department and Alaska officials said. The planned 223-mile line would run between the Beluga power station on Alaska’s southern coast and Healy, an interior community. An administration official said the project would cost $400 million overall. The administration’s announcement also cited $268 million in nonfederal funding in addition to the federal award; the reports do not establish whether all project financing is secured or when construction would begin. Vice President JD Vance announced the funding with the Energy Department and Alaska Energy Authority. In remarks at the announcement, Vance said the line would lower energy costs and strengthen grid reliability for 75% of Alaska’s population.