Energy Independence

Our partners are committed to renewable energy solutions that are clean, reliable, affordable and sustainable. Through education and awareness, we strive to reduce Southeast Alaska’s dependence on expensive outside energy by supporting local efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiency of existing energy resources for transportation, homes, commercial and public buildings.

Energy costs are disproportionately high in our rural villages, threatening their economic health and well-being. Without equitable, localized, clean and reliable energy, entrepreneurs, businesses and families can’t thrive and often have to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Our shared vision for an energy independent Southeast includes renewable energy solutions that are clean, reliable, affordable, efficient, and sustainable.

Energy Education

SSP supports K-12 and adult energy literacy by providing place-based lessons and materials delivered in classrooms and virtually, including the AK Energy Smart curriculum and the annual Power Pledge Challenge for students.

AK Energy Smart

Energy Efficiency

SSP supports programs like the Alaska Energy Authority’s Village Energy Efficiency Program (VEEP), assisting small communities to replace inefficient lighting with LED fixtures for streets, harbors, schools and other public buildings, saving energy and thousands of dollars. SSP also supports the Home Energy Leadership Program (HELP) to train community members to provide basic home energy assessments helping Southeast families save money in places where energy costs are high.

Energy Production

Because Southeast enjoys abundant hydro resources, much of the region’s electricity is clean, abundant and available to displace imported fuels for transportation and heating. Assisting Southeast communities to develop electric vehicle infrastructure and expand the adoption of heat pump technologies are two ways SSP partners are working to make energy more local, renewable and affordable.

Many SSP communities have developed modern renewable biomass heating systems for their schools, public and tribal buildings, utilizing waste wood from thinning regrowth and other wood residuals from lumber mills and roadside brushing. While displacing hundreds of thousands of gallons of imported heating oil, these communities are also creating jobs, healthy forests and a stronger local economy – all part of achieving greater energy independence for the Southeast.

"Use of locally-produced renewable energy for heat and transportation can help support community sustainability, resiliency, and local energy security."
Jason Custer
Vice President of Business Development, AP&T (Alaska Power and Telephone)