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.

COMING SOON: the draft study!

The project team will be releasing the draft Alaska Bulk Fuel Study report for a public comment period in fall 2026. Results will also be presented at the Rural Energy Conference in October 2026.

Current Happenings

Thank you to SAG members who participated in a final joint SAG meeting in July. Meeting slides and notes are linked below.

Purpose and Study Advisory Groups (SAG)

Study Purpose

To Answer this Big Question: ​

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?

Kiana -cropped 16x9
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Study Inputs

SAG Meetings

  • Timeline: January – July 2026​
  • 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

Timeline

Phase 1 Project Timeline: Fall 2024 to Fall 2026

STEP 1

Fall 2024 – Summer 2025

Seek Initial Partner & Stakeholder Feedback

STEP 2

Fall 2025 – Summer 2026

Financial Modeling

STEP 3

Spring 2026 – Fall 2026

Evaluate Potential Solutions and Summarize Recommendations

4 SAG meetings throughout Phase 1

Resources

Project Documents

Alaska Municipal League Local Government Conference (December 2025)

Business of Alaska Rural Energy Virtual Workshop (October 2025)

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 (March 2025)

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.