Alaska Bulk Fuel Aggregation Study
Identifying solutions that will provide safe, sustainable bulk fuel infrastructure in rural Alaska.
This study is a joint effort of the Denali Commission and the Alaska Energy Authority.
New information available!
- The Literature Review brings together existing plans, studies, and reports related to bulk fuel infrastructure planning, best practices, lessons learned, and new ideas to better understand the landscape of barriers and contributors to aggregation solutions.
- The Stakeholder Engagement Summary features survey results, interview findings, and key takeaways from small group discussions with owners, operators, community & regional entities; energy cooperatives; and capacity builders & technical assistance providers.
- The Case Studies Matrix explores various examples of aggregation and their relevance to bulk fuel facilities in rural Alaska; this research sets the stage for the financial modeling underway now.
Current Happenings
Thank you to SAG members who participated in our 3rd round of meetings in late June. Meeting slides and notes are linked below. We tentatively anticipate the 4th round of SAG meetings to occur later this winter.
Purpose and Study Advisory Groups (SAG)
Study Purpose
Can aggregating some or all aspects of bulk fuel facilities improve facility lifespan, limit or prevent spills, and save money that could be reinvested in capital improvement projects, thereby lessening the investment burden by state and federal agencies?
Study Inputs
SAG Meetings
- Timeline: January – December 2025
- Focus: Informing the process
- Audience: Owners & Operators; Regulators & Supporters
Literature Review
- Timeline: January – May 2025
- Focus: Examine past, current, and emerging aggregation models from regions with similar environments and challenges
- Audience: n/a
Small Group Discussions
- Timeline: Spring – Fall 2025
- Focus: In-depth conversation exploring key topic areas and solutions
- Audience: Industry professionals, community members
Interviews
- Timeline: January – February 2025
- Focus: Understanding initial perspectives
- Audience: SAG members, other key informants
Survey
- Timeline: April – May 2025
- Focus: Technical and quantitative questions to inform modeling and recommendations
- Audience: Industry professionals, community members
Events (Conferences, Symposiums)
- Timeline: Varies
- Focus: Varies
- Audience: Varies; opportunity to promote the study, share and prioritize recommendations
Study Advisory Groups (SAG)
About the SAGs
The Bulk Fuel Study project will by shaped through input from Rural Alaska communities, leaders, bulk fuel partners, and two Study Advisory Groups (SAG):
Owners and Operators
Represent the interests of entities that currently own, operate, and/or maintain tank farms.
Regulators and Supporters
Represent the interests of entities that regulate tank farms, assist operators, and/or fund related infrastructure improvements.
SAG Composition and Roles
SAG Meeting Agendas, Minutes, & Related Materials
- Owners and Operators SAG
- January 21, 2025 Kickoff Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
- March 19th, 2025 Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
- June 24, 2025 Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
- Regulators and Supporters SAG
- January 15, 2025 Kickoff Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
- March 24th, 2025 Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
- June 27, 2025 Meeting: Agenda and Slides/Notes
Timeline
Phase 1 Project Timeline: September 2024 to Spring 2026
STEP 1
Fall 2024 – Summer 2025
Seek Initial Partner & Stakeholder Feedback
STEP 2
Summer 2025 – Fall 2025
Financial Modeling
STEP 3
Winter 2025 – Spring 2026
Evaluate Potential Solutions and Summarize Recommendations
5 SAG meetings throughout Phase 1
Resources
Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium (Anchorage, April 2025)
Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium: Alaska Bulk Fuel Study Slides
West Coast Alaska Bulk Fuel Storage Critical Needs Analysis: Storymap Presentation by the Alaska Energy Authority
The Alaska Energy Authority Rural Energy Program created this interactive presentation to illustrate the status and needs of rural Alaska tank farms. While it includes some statewide data, it is focused on western Alaska as part of an effort to explore opportunities for dual use of bulk fuel facilities. Click here to view this Storymap.
Bulk Fuel Summit (Fairbanks, October 2024)
Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium (Anchorage, April 2024)
Team
Who is supporting the study process? Over the next two years, the Denali Commission and AEA will be working with an Alaska-based consulting team to assist with the study: HDL Engineering, Agnew::Beck Consulting, and Northern Economics. As noted above, the project SAGs will help shape the study process, tools, and final documents.
