Launch Alaska, a nonprofit known for supporting climate and energy-focused startups, has filed a lawsuit against the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research, claiming the Trump Administration unlawfully terminated a $5 million federal grant.
In a complaint filed in US District Court in Anchorage, the organization’s lawyer John R. Crone alleges that the Office of Naval Research ended the funding without substantive explanation or due process, causing immediate harm to its operations and threatening its future viability.
According to the lawsuit, the abrupt cancellation could lead to widespread layoffs, broken contracts, and the potential shutdown of Launch Alaska’s signature accelerator program, an initiative that connects tech startups with Alaska utilities, infrastructure providers, and government partners to pilot cutting-edge energy solutions. The organization appears to have less than a dozen employees.
Launch Alaska was blindsided by the Navy’s decision, the group says.
Isaac Vanderburg, CEO of Launch Alaska, leads the organization, which has become a player in fostering innovation in renewable energy, climate resilience, and Arctic technologies in the state, and also outside the state. In fact, it appears most of the group’s business is outside the state.
The nonprofit says it helps attract startups from across the country to test and deploy solutions in Alaska’s challenging environment.
The grant was intended to support the expansion of those efforts, which align with Department of Defense priorities in energy security and Arctic readiness. The complaint argues that canceling the funding undermines national interests as well as local economic development.
The case was originally before US District Judge Sharon Gleason, who recused herself. Honorable G. Murray Snow is the new judge.
Thank goodness this grant was cancelled. Launch Alaska is nothing but another NGO/Special Interest group like REAP or The Alaska Center for the Environment.
I can only hope more restrictions come on solar and wind.