Solar and hydroelectric projects in villages across rural Alaska are on deck to receive up to $125 million in funding from the giant 2021 federal infrastructure law.
The projects, including new solar arrays for several villages, will reduce the use of costly diesel fuel that’s used to make electricity at village power plants across the state, the Biden administration said Tuesday. If they’re funded and built, the projects will also create jobs and income for tribes that sell the power.
One of the projects could receive up to $26 million to deploy solar power arrays and battery storage banks in eight Interior Alaska villages, according to the U.S. Energy Department.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference, a tribal consortium representing 39 villages, applied for the funding. Villages that will benefit include Nulato, Huslia and Holy Cross.
The selection is a “huge…
