[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6328664,"mediaKeyId","2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1","parentId",2318477,"title","Village Safe Water brief to House Finance highlights IIJA dollars, steep per‑home costs and sustainability concerns","audioSeconds",1581,"startMs",5981000,"endMs",7562000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1&start=5981&end=7562","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1/thumbnail_5981000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328664/Alaska/Village-Safe-Water-brief-to-House-Finance-highlights-IIJA-dollars-steep-perhome-costs-and-sustainability-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328664-94406e9e10eb210a061fb3ae91846ddc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160776&Signature=fx0fWCshHvnBHwCsL3rLKo5A3wlVeNVbb1bjadKmtof5gNB4shKC9aARfvAzqTIVJM8l4XwyDOaCMxgZVdOPTx0~yGSmzLVc2D4aWUo-x1k35~Q6NjJn~ozg6ciHWMDiJ9BLAv0O3ippY846hri39jNVbHq9zmEZrhdJjz9pAqDEXxvgMdMVfxjD0CurJE4xHNrS2KVJc7JkN~30jzthf4NT5o3zNfJQydEBnFxZusX-zVNus5UV6l2tz677AB-gSEJ2efw5M9e~8BlA8nVY14PWTYmB7fjgLhX-wdvOLAoIxgoOH0ERy~2ImKGMDawU4v39grrFeJ9Czkb3Tq3bqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","Anchorage — The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Village Safe Water (VSW) program told the House Finance Committee on Feb. 14 that recent federal infrastructure dollars have increased funding available for rural water and sanitation, but that construction costs, supply chain issues and long‑term operations and maintenance needs mean the program remains far behind total need.

VSW Director Jean McCabe and Facilities Programs Manager Carrie Bohan described how funding flows to Alaska communities through two main channels — VSW/USDA/EPA capital grants requiring state match and Indian Health Service (IHS) funding guided by the Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) database — and said that IIJA/IIJA‑era appropriations routed through IHS have driven a large spike in available dollars over the last two years.

The nut graf: Program staff stressed that while available capital has increased, construction in Alaska is expensive: VSW said an average first‑time piped connection costs roughly $1.35 million per home, projects can run from $500,000 to $4 million per home depending on site complexity, and a recent extreme planning estimate for the village of Alatna suggested about $25.5 million to serve seven homes — an example lawmakers asked VSW to document offline.

How VSW works and funding channels

Bohan and McCabe explained VSW funds planning, design and construction for water, wastewater and solid‑waste systems in mostly small rural communities (statutory eligibility typically caps at population <1,000 for villages). VSW manages a capital improvement process and coordinates closely with partners — the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Indian Health Service, USDA Rural Development, EPA and the Denali Commission — delivering planning support, design review and project oversight.

IHS’s Sanitation Deficiency System and IIJA

McCabe said the SDS database (managed by Indian Health Service and populated by field engineers and tribal partners) underpinned the $2.1 billion figure cited when IIJA funding was allocated to Alaska sanitation projects; she noted that cost estimates and project lists have changed since that database was compiled and that inflation and expanding needs mean that the original $2.1 billion does not reflect current program shortfalls.

Project scale, timelines and costs

VSW said a typical piped‑service project averages about $1.35 million per home connected and that projects commonly take five years from planning through construction. McCabe and Bohan noted projects can last longer when funding gaps appear during a multi‑year build sequence. The program reported many communities have projects in the pipeline and that officials prioritize projects through annual application cycles and multi‑agency review committees that examine technical, permitting and financial viability before committing construction funds.

Sustainability and operations & maintenance concerns

Committee members repeatedly raised long‑term sustainability concerns. Bohan said VSW now requests sustainability planning in advance of construction so communities and partners can assess whether user rates and local capacity will sustain O&M and eventual capital reinvestment. She noted Indian Health Service historically has limited authority or appropriations for operations and maintenance and said there are ongoing discussions at the federal level about whether and how O&M support could be provided for IIJA projects.

State revolving fund and PFAS loan forgiveness

VSW staff also described the state revolving fund (SRF) low‑interest loan program, which has funds available and has been modified to include fully forgiven loans for emergency mitigation of emerging contaminants (PFAS) in eligible systems; program staff said they are reaching out to communities they believe qualify for that funding.

Ending

VSW staff said the program is adapting procurement, modular construction and multi‑partner review to shorten on‑site time and improve project success, but that availability of experienced engineers, Build America/Buy America rules, and Alaska logistics continue to drive cost and schedule risks. They asked legislators to note that funding is larger than before but that needs and costs keep rising.

Development of costs and project examples were provided to the committee and VSW agreed to give follow‑up documentation, including the Alatna planning estimate and contractor/contracting records, at the committee’s request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House FINANCE 02/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Village Safe Water told the House Finance Committee that IIJA/IH S funding has dramatically increased available capital for rural sanitation, but project costs and long‑term operations and maintenance obligations create sustainability challenges for remote Alaska communities.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328669,"DEC tells committee FY26 budget is largely flat; seeks $45,000 to cover lab utility costs and technical receipt authority changes",1952,4106000,6058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1&start=4106&end=6058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1/thumbnail_4106000.jpg","/articles/6328669/Alaska/DEC-tells-committee-FY26-budget-is-largely-flat-seeks-45000-to-cover-lab-utility-costs-and-technical-receipt-authority-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328669-4c021eba3d5b8e308c31a4b6d1234428/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160776&Signature=JfdcttWZwtuSgpGK8t3Ho-cUubJWxG1jojttvK65PAldCYAE-nLhUHZu9jUbzw9Ea1NFyGkglg9AIIeWXnFkxW8lDgmuFyfr8mf3TJSWkJEB-~kn22E7ZSA~07GgnG20w1AlBRxrDhh~0VbbY~ktdkMwvyUpYhP~jI-69mw5YQoiyrGqt5F3rU~DNOg0KrOKfkF1BeMiBUCKTsJJkLFuClJS4P3m2d7xg7LspQP7n0eYt4F-Tm~KAbZ6i-Kmv1rOHAKNxrkrsvyFU70WW~GxJv8R3Epik97jCWaGn96BqO8xQqKaBm4K6hKdupvsI41pap-EIiigGC5OTkigA~k--w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anchorage — Acting Commissioner Christina Carpenter and Administrative Services Director Megan Koehler presented the Department of Environmental Conservation’s FY26 operating request to the House Finance Committee on Feb. 14, describing a largely stable budget with three technical or small operating increments and continued work on PFAS, spill prevention and the state’s air and water programs.

DEC told lawmakers it has roughly 556 budgeted positions, 518 of which were filled as of Jan. 15, 2025; the department also reported about 64% of staff currently telework between two and four days per week under telework agreements.

The nut graf: DEC said the department’s FY26 asks are limited: a $45,000 UGF increment to cover higher utility costs at the department‑owned Environmental Health Laboratory in East Anchorage; a $3 million interagency receipt authority increase to consolidate building lease O&M accounting after FY25 intent language; and technical receipt cleanups in the Division of Water to move certain program fees into general fund program receipt authority.

Budget highlights and requests

Carpenter described DEC’s five divisions (administration, air quality, water, environmental health, and spill prevention and response) and emphasized staff training and program experience. The department said it issued 9,553 permits, approvals or reviews and conducted over 3,100 inspections and site visits during 2024.

Koehler explained the $3 million interagency receipt authority request is a structural change to move annual non‑state leased building operations and maintenance costs into a single location in the budget, reflecting FY25 intent language and a trend of more grants appearing on the capital side. The $45,000 UGF request sits in the facilities O&M RDU for the department’s only state‑owned building, the environmental health laboratory, and is intended to cover increases in utility costs since 2020.

PFAS, SIPs and spill prevention questions

Committee members questioned DEC about PFAS strategy, the state’s role versus Department of Transportation or federal agencies, and local impacts. Carpenter said DEC has been sampling and working with impacted property owners and responsible parties, and agreed to supply the committee with more specific actions and plans for legacy PFAS sites in writing. Legislators were told much PFAS testing and investigation on state airports and some contaminated sites has been led or funded by DOT or federal entities; DEC’s role often centers on permitting, testing and reimbursement programs for firefighting foam disposal established in recent legislation.

Representative Staff asked whether Fairbanks home buyers and sellers in the nonattainment area will be required to obtain energy ratings; Carpenter confirmed any such requirement tied to a court‑approved SIP revision would apply only in the Fairbanks nonattainment area and offered to follow up with cost estimates to the committee.

Spill prevention & response and lab operations

Koehler briefed on the spill prevention and response appropriation, including a reversal of one‑time FY25 authority tied to Senate Bill 67 (firefighting substance disposal reimbursement). She said unspent FY25 authority will be carried forward as needed and that DEC’s prevention account showed a healthy unobligated balance for FY24; the department agreed to provide the committee with a precise balance for the response account after the hearing.

Ending

DEC leadership closed by saying leadership and program staff have deep institutional experience and that the FY26 request is constrained largely to technical accounting and a modest lab utility increase. The department agreed to provide written follow up on PFAS site actions and response fund balances.

Quoted or cited speakers in this article are listed below.","Acting Commissioner Christina Carpenter and ASD Megan Koehler briefed the House Finance Committee on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s FY26 budget: largely flat with a $45,000 general fund request to cover rising laboratory utilities, technical interagency receipt cleanups, and continued work on PFAS and spill response programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328674,"House Finance hears DMVA budget with $175,000 GF request to expand organized militia operations",0,5632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1&start=5632&end=5632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2318477-a2a9b4b2816663a583f4f64de5da0fa1/thumbnail_5632000.jpg","/articles/6328674/Alaska/House-Finance-hears-DMVA-budget-with-175000-GF-request-to-expand-organized-militia-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328674-6f77a111c33656d9826ade38d9c54433/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160776&Signature=JPAxmC~nQCLV~kM8uwwz8p8gg~P3m0NdHnW69bKj29agZBUGArJAFnlqQJwIuNmJ95k2feJL34l1pycU~D3PbRJy54NiXsaWXly-wjFhWlMkDzkhpmd3-3VXrV0WqxLhP90PH4mpBG3ScZAT5ZJlWFzBlErdmPBxXEKs7mlA273zreMgYZCvJm2N7Sxf4CE9hg0C482MY5gO~uK6sf5MpekPB0d7Ogmk3iH76BJET4liQ6bMGj1xPJgdnSgwaU0B2l8lKXxbaqiCpkeRcE2Z45LPcmut1qYmLH060t8t0Gc1WnEvtc8ypOKtXib63yvHjcppAzdr2RnPrtIOEB2FWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Juneau — The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) presented its FY26 operating budget to the House Finance Committee on Feb. 14, telling legislators the department’s request is “lean” and contains three budget increments, including a $175,000 general‑fund request to expand the Alaska organized militia’s operations and outreach.

The budget overview, delivered by Deputy Commissioner Craig Christiansen and Administrative Services Director Bob Arnessey, described the department’s responsibilities — the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, the Office of Veterans Affairs, the Alaska Military Youth Academy, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and administrative services — and stressed that most of the department’s resources come from federal receipts rather than state general funds.

The nut graf: DMVA said only one of its FY26 increments requires new general funds ($175,000) to support a statewide build‑out of capabilities for the organized militia — the National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) and Alaska Naval Militia — and expanded communications and readiness work that leaders said will improve disaster response in remote communities.

DMVA overview and budget items

Christiansen told the committee DMVA’s FY26 request contains three asks overall; only the adjutant general’s office requested additional general fund support. The $175,000 recurring GF increment is described as an operating increase to expand emergency response, outreach, training and communications for the organized militia. Officials said part of the planned work includes a multi‑year build‑out of a high‑frequency (HF) radio network to maintain communications if commercial systems fail.

Administrative Services Director Bob Arnessey explained another request is a technical swap of federal receipt authority into interagency receipts and capital interagency receipts because more grants are being captured on the capital side. DMVA also requested $200,000 in interagency receipts for its National Guard counterdrug program to support training, outreach and partner agency work; committee members were told those dollars would largely be received from other agencies when they request Guard support.

Armory divestiture and local impacts

Legislators pressed DMVA on a long‑running divestiture of armory properties across the state. Christiansen said the department has been divesting underused armories for about a decade and has identified roughly 18–20 armories it will keep as strategic hubs. He said 16 armory sites remain on the list for divestiture; communities typically receive the buildings through a federal disposal process and many have repurposed them as community space or local government facilities.

On the record, committee members asked for a community‑specific list with timelines; Christiansen agreed the department’s legislative liaison would follow up with details. Committee members also discussed the small, often wooden nature of many divested buildings and emphasized the department’s use of a hub‑and‑spoke model to maintain response capacity.

Organized militia growth and roles

Christiansen described growth in the Alaska State Defense Force from about 50 members six years ago to roughly 225 today, with a target of up to 500. He said ASDF members are volunteers until called to state active duty and that they provide local surge capacity for disasters, sheltering, communications and debris management. He and other officials stressed that response is coordinated across the National Guard, ASDF and naval militia.

Veterans services and the Alaska Military Youth Academy

Officials reported the Office of Veterans Affairs processed about 4,160 new disability claims in the last year and that about $100 million a year in VA disability payments flows to Alaska veterans. DMVA described the Alaska Military Youth Academy as a tuition‑free, voluntary residential program for at‑risk youth that runs two 22‑week classes annually and offers post‑residential follow up.

Counterdrug program and interagency work

Deputy Commissioner Christiansen said the National Guard counterdrug program provides analysts and aviation support to state and federal partners; personnel are embedded as supporting analysts and aviators, not as law enforcement. Committee members asked whether other agencies will provide interagency funds; Christiansen said the requested authority will allow DMVA to accept partner agency payments when agencies request Guard assistance.

Committee questions and follow up

Legislators asked for follow‑up data on ASDF growth, the locations and schedule for armory divestitures, the long‑term staffing and cost implications of the HF radio network, and whether federal receipt authority adjustments are sufficient for expected disaster response payroll charges. DMVA agreed to provide more detailed follow‑up through its legislative liaison.

Ending

DMVA officials closed by noting the department accounts for a small share of state general funds while leveraging substantial federal funding for the Guard and other programs; officials told the committee they would supply additional details on divestiture lists, ASDF growth and the radio build‑out as requested.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are listed below.","The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs told the House Finance Committee it seeks a largely flat FY26 operating budget with three increments, one of which asks for $175,000 in general funds to expand organized militia operations, plus interagency authority adjustments and counterdrug funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Village Safe Water brief to House Finance highlights IIJA dollars, steep per‑home costs and sustainability concerns

DEC tells committee FY26 budget is largely flat; seeks $45,000 to cover lab utility costs and technical receipt authority changes

House Finance hears DMVA budget with $175,000 GF request to expand organized militia operations