Nine sites for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in Alaska
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Kristen Nelson Petroleum News
The Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Infrastructure have named first round award winners for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding.
The agencies said Sept. 25 that projects in nine Alaska communities were selected for a total of $8 million in this round of awards, with $6.4 million in NEVI funding to be matched with $1.6 million from selected entities who will install, own and operate the new electric vehicle charging stations.
NEVI funding is from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides funding for EV charging infrastructure along public roads. Alaska will receive $52 million for fiscal years 2022-27.
"We are thrilled to be among the first six states in the nation to issue these NEVI awards," said AEA Executive Director Curtis Thayer.
DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson said "DOT&PF and AEA are pleased to support our communities' relentless pursuit of affordable and sustainable energy in Alaska."
"Alaska is taking a critical step forward as states across our nation begin deploying EV chargers for the communities they serve, and we are proud to partner with them in this shared project," said Federal Highway Administrator Shallen Bhatt.
Initial focus is on Alaska's Alternative Fuel Corridor, AFC, with AEA strategically deploying Direct Current Fast Charging between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Once the AFC has charging stations and meets FHA criteria, AEA and DOT&PF will use program funds for charging infrastructure along Alaska's non-AFC highway and marine highway systems, with the second phase focused on connecting small urban areas, rural communities on the road system, the state's road system to Canada and coastal communities on the marine highway system.
Selected projects First round projects selected are:
Tikahtnu Commons in Anchorage;
Cottonwood Creek Mall in Wasilla;
Trapper Creek Three Bears in Trapper Creek;
Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali State Park;
Jack River Properties in Cantwell;
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge in Healy;
Nenana Chevron Station in Nenana;
Ester Gas in Ester; and
Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Conference Center in Fairbanks.
Plan approval in 2022 The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration approved the state's plan for high-speed EV chargers in September 2022.
Phase one is expected to be completed in 2024 and will focus on installation of charging stations every 50 miles along the Glenn and Parks highways between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The charging stations must have a minimum power rating of 150 kW, have at least four charging ports and be within a mile of the relevant highway.
The federal funding will augment an existing AEA program to help fund installation of high-speed EV charging stations on the highway system between Homer and Fairbanks, and on the highway corridor connecting Glennallen, Tok and Delta Junction.
--KRISTEN NELSON
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