Parnell proposes more Susitna-Watana dam money, with contingency

Gov. Sean Parnell has proposed an additional $32.7 million for the proposed Susitna-Watana hydro project.

But the money is contingent upon the Alaska Energy Authority, or AEA, securing land access permits required for field studies and other work.

AEA is the group pursuing the massive project between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Parnell proposed the funding as part of his amended supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. The dam funding brings the total supplemental package to about $86 million.

AEA had wanted $110 million to complete its initial study report and prepare its license application for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the upcoming fiscal year.

Parnell included $10 million in next year’s budget, saying he wanted to see greater progress on the land access agreements.

—Becky Bohrer, Associated Press