Feds grant TCC funds for major solar project [Video]

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) will head a multi-million dollar effort to develop the biggest tribally-owned Independent Power Producer in the state.

It’s one of five Alaska projects federal officials chose for the purpose of improving energy resiliency and affordability in remote communities.

Of the $1 billion available, run through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, Alaska projects are receiving a maximum of $125 million.

Allotted up to $26 million itself, the TCC project endeavors to install solar energy systems and battery storage into the existing grids of eight remote tribal communities. Those include Nulato, Huslia, Minto, Kaltag, Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk and Holy Cross.

“To say we were jubilant would be an understatement,” TCC Community Infrastructure and Planning Director Dave Messier said of getting the funds in a Wednesday phone interview.

“Projects in rural Alaska are really hard …