Data centers in Alaska

📜 State laws

Data center utility bill passed the Senate but died in the House (SB 250, 2026) · May 18, 2026
Senate Bill 250, by Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage), would have made data centers that use 15 megawatts or more sign a contract with their electric or gas utility that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) must approve. Costs to serve the data center could not be put on other customers' bills. Power lines built for it would be paid by the data center. It would also have needed a deposit or bond if the utility had to spend more than $1 million, limits on diesel backup power, and a plan for taking the site apart when it closes. A local government (city or borough) would have had to sign a 'community benefit agreement' with the data center first, including a water use plan and a waste-heat study. The Senate passed it 14-5 on May 16, 2026. The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard it on May 18, but the session ended before a vote, so the bill died. It would have to be filed again in the new Legislature that starts in January 2027. Source

House bill on large energy users stalled in committee (HB 259, 2026) · Feb 3, 2026
House Bill 259, by Rep. Mears, dealt with 'large energy use facilities', electric and gas utilities, community benefit agreements with local governments, and the duties of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The House Energy Committee heard it on Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, 2026, and held it. It never got a vote and died when the session ended. Source

No state law on data centers yet; incentives and pauses were only discussed · April 29, 2026
As of October 2026, Alaska has no state law written for data centers. In April 2026 lawmakers heard from the National Conference of State Legislatures about two paths: tax breaks to attract data centers, or a temporary pause (moratorium). Neither became a bill that passed. Source

Fairbanks borough asks the state for a data center pause (request only) · Aug 27, 2026
On Aug. 27, 2026, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly listed a moratorium on new commercial AI data centers as one of its top requests to the Legislature for 2027. It asks to pause permits, leases and building on state and local land until the state and local governments set standards for power use, water use, environment and air quality. This is a request; it is not a law. Source

State land lease for a North Slope data center: preliminary yes, final decision pending · July 17, 2026
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can lease state land for industry. On May 12, 2026, DNR's Division of Oil and Gas issued a preliminary decision to give STAK Energy a 50-year lease near Dalton Highway milepost 390 for a data center powered by its own natural gas plant. More than 500 public comments came in, mostly against. The comment period closed July 17, 2026. We found no final decision as of Oct. 8, 2026. The project would still need other permits, such as an air permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation and a federal wetlands permit. Source

Proposed free transfer of about 20,000 acres of state land to AIDEA near Houston · Sept 16, 2026
In July 2026 DNR proposed giving about 20,000 acres of state land near the city of Houston (Mat-Su) to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), at no cost, for an industrial and energy district that could include data centers. AIDEA says no project or tenant is planned yet. More than 2,100 public comments were filed. A lawyer for the Legislature questioned whether the transfer meets the 'public purpose' test, and five members of the Senate Resources Committee wrote to DNR on Sept. 9, 2026. DNR says its final decision will address these concerns. No final decision as of Oct. 8, 2026. Source

💡 Who pays for the power

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) sets power rates; no data center rate yet · Oct 8, 2026
The RCA must make sure utility rates are 'just and reasonable' (AS 42.05.381). Alaska has no special power rate or rules for data centers yet; SB 250, which would have created them, died in May 2026. Chugach Electric (Anchorage area) says big new customers should pay the full cost of serving them and existing members should not pay for them. Golden Valley Electric (Fairbanks) says a customer that needs new upgrades would pay for them, under RCA oversight. A former RCA commissioner said the commission would look hard at any plan that shifts data center costs to other customers. Source

Utilities say they don't have enough gas or power for a big data center now · May 5, 2026
Gas from Cook Inlet, which most Railbelt power plants burn, is running low. In May 2026 Chugach Electric said: 'We currently do not have gas to serve a large data center.' Its main gas contract with Hilcorp ends in 2028 and it is looking at importing gas (LNG), though it might serve a smaller data center. Golden Valley Electric said it cannot support a large data center now; Cook Inlet gas fell from about 30% of its fuel to under 1%, and it hit its power limits in the cold winter of 2025-26. Source

Recent bill increase: Chugach Electric asked for 4.66% more (2025) · Aug 20, 2025
Chugach Electric filed a rate case (TA577-8) and asked the RCA for an interim, refundable increase of 4.66% on retail rates starting Oct. 2, 2025, with final rates to follow the RCA's review. This rate case is not about data centers. Source

💵 Tax breaks

No state tax break written for data centers · April 29, 2026
Alaska is not one of the 34 states with special incentives for data centers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (reported April 2026). Some lawmakers talked about adding incentives in 2026, but no bill passed. Source

Cities and boroughs set property taxes and can give local tax breaks · Oct 8, 2026
Property tax in Alaska is set by local governments (cities and boroughs). State law lets a city or borough, by ordinance, fully or partly exempt 'economic development property' from property tax, or delay the tax, for a set time (AS 29.45.050(m)). So any tax break for a data center would most likely be a local vote. Anchorage officials have said data centers would pay property taxes. Source

🤐 Secret deals and public records

Anyone can ask for public records · Oct 8, 2026
Alaska law says 'every person' has a right to inspect public records (AS 40.25.120). You do not need to live in Alaska. For most state agencies, send a written request; they have 10 working days to answer and can take 10 more. Searching and copying is free up to 5 staff hours a month; above that you pay for all the staff time. If you are turned down, you can appeal to the head of the agency within 60 working days, or go straight to superior court. Cities and boroughs follow the same law but may have their own request forms and fees. Source

Some company information in state land deals can be kept secret · Oct 8, 2026
When a company applies to lease or buy state land, the Department of Natural Resources must keep some records secret if the company asks: for example engineering data and cost and financial information it supplies (AS 38.05.035(a)(8)). Alaska has no law that bans or limits secret deals (NDAs) between local governments and data center companies. Source

💧 Water

Water: DNR gives water rights and temporary water permits · Oct 8, 2026
Under the Alaska Water Use Act (AS 46.15), anyone who wants to take a lot of surface or ground water needs a water right from DNR's Division of Mining, Land and Water. For short-term use, a Temporary Water Use Authorization is needed before using more than 5,000 gallons a day from one source, more than 500 gallons a day for more than 10 days a year, or any use that could harm other water users. Alaska has no water rules just for data centers. SB 250 (died 2026) would have required a monthly water and wastewater plan for big data centers. Inside cities, data centers would usually buy water from the local water utility. Source

🌫️ Air and generators

Air: DEC permits gas power plants and generators · May 12, 2026
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Air Permits Program issues air permits for power plants, gas turbines and diesel generators. A large project, like the STAK Energy North Slope plan with its own gas power plant, would need a major 'Prevention of Significant Deterioration' (PSD) air permit from DEC, plus water and stormwater permits. DEC posts proposed permits for public comment on the State of Alaska Online Public Notices site. Source

🙋 How to have your say

Who decides a data center near you · Oct 8, 2026
Alaska has boroughs instead of counties. In an organized borough (for example Mat-Su, Fairbanks North Star, Kenai Peninsula), the borough assembly must handle planning and zoning for the whole borough, with a planning commission; it can hand zoning to a city that agrees. Anchorage, Juneau and Sitka are combined city-boroughs that zone their own land. Outside boroughs (the 'unorganized borough'), home rule and first class cities must zone and second class cities may; much of the rest has no local zoning at all. On state land, the Department of Natural Resources decides leases and sales (like the North Slope and Houston plans). Military land is decided by the federal government. The RCA decides power rates. Source

Appealing a zoning decision · Oct 8, 2026
Each borough must set up a way to appeal zoning decisions (to a board of adjustment, hearing officer or similar body), and then to superior court (AS 29.40.050-.060). An appeal to superior court from a local or state agency decision must be filed within 30 days after the decision is mailed or handed out (Appellate Rule 602). Ask your borough or city clerk for local appeal deadlines, which can be shorter. Source

Putting a local ordinance to a public vote · Oct 8, 2026
Residents can ask for a referendum on a city or borough ordinance. You file an application with the municipal clerk. Signatures must be gathered within 90 days after the clerk issues the petition. You need signatures equal to 25% of the votes cast at the last regular election (towns under 7,500 people) or 15% (7,500 people or more) (AS 29.26). Home rule cities and boroughs, such as Anchorage, may have their own charter rules, so check with the clerk. Source

Comment on state land deals, or you can't appeal later · May 12, 2026
DNR posts preliminary decisions on state land leases and sales on the State of Alaska Online Public Notices site and takes written comments. Only people who sent written comments during the comment period can appeal the final decision (AS 38.05.035(i)). For the STAK North Slope lease, comments went to the Division of Oil and Gas (DOG.Permitting@alaska.gov). Source

How to comment at the Regulatory Commission of Alaska · Aug 20, 2025
The RCA posts public notices of utility rate filings with a comment deadline. You can comment online through the RCA website's public notices page or by mail to 701 West Eighth Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501. Include the case number (for example 'TA577-8'). The notice asks you to also send a copy to the utility. Source

Tell lawmakers what you think · Oct 8, 2026
The new Alaska Legislature starts in January 2027. Any data center bill, like SB 250 or a moratorium, must be filed again. You can find your legislators and track bills at akleg.gov, and sign up for text alerts on a bill number. Source

🧾 Help with your bills

Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP and Alaska Affordable Heating) · Oct 2026
The Alaska Department of Health pays a one-time yearly benefit toward home heating costs (fuel or electric heat) for eligible households. Households with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level qualify for LIHEAP; households from 150% up to 225% qualify for the state's Alaska Affordable Heating Program. You must have at least $200 a year in heating costs. 2026-27 monthly income limits: 1 person $3,739; 2 people $5,071; 3 people $6,401; 4 people $7,733 (add $1,331 for each extra person). The new application comes out each September; payments start in October and the last day to apply is April 30. Apply online (Alaska Connect portal), in person at a Public Assistance office, by fax (888-269-6520) or email (hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov). Crisis help applications run Sept. 1 to June 30. Source

Power Cost Equalization (rural electric bills) · Oct 8, 2026
In 193 rural communities that rely mostly on diesel power, the state's Power Cost Equalization program lowers the electric rate homes pay to a level closer to Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. It serves about 82,000 Alaskans. You do not apply yourself; the credit shows up on your bill from a participating utility. It is run by the Alaska Energy Authority with the RCA. Source

📞 Who to contact

Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) · Oct 8, 2026
Regulates electric and gas utilities such as Chugach Electric, Golden Valley Electric, Matanuska Electric and Homer Electric; sets rates and takes public comments. Source

DNR Division of Oil and Gas (Permitting) · Oct 8, 2026
Handles the STAK Energy North Slope data center lease (ADL 422741). Email: DOG.Permitting@alaska.gov. Source

DNR Division of Mining, Land and Water · Oct 8, 2026
Water rights and temporary water use permits; state land leases and sales outside oil and gas areas (including the proposed AIDEA land transfer near Houston). Source

Department of Environmental Conservation, Air Permits Program · Oct 8, 2026
Air permits for power plants, gas turbines and diesel generators. Source

Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) · Oct 8, 2026
State development authority; proposed to receive about 20,000 acres near Houston for an industrial and energy district that could include data centers. Source

Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) · Oct 8, 2026
State energy agency; runs Power Cost Equalization with the RCA and works on Railbelt power planning. Source

Alaska State Legislature · Oct 8, 2026
Bills, hearings and how to reach your legislators. Bill info line: 907-465-4648. Source