The Railbelt Reliability Council (RRC) convened its board meeting on December 1, 2025, with a focus on key agenda items including the development and approval of the 2026 budget and surcharge filing. The meeting comes as the organization continues to advance regional planning and reliability standards for Alaska’s interconnected electric grid. While specific agenda details remain limited, the session is expected to address ongoing efforts in integrated resource planning and enforcement of operational rules to enhance system efficiency and security.
The Railbelt Reliability Council, certified by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in 2022, serves as the state’s first Electric Reliability Organization for the Railbelt region, which powers nearly three-quarters of Alaska’s population from Fairbanks to the Kenai Peninsula. Formed through efforts among utility companies, NGOs, and policymakers, the RRC aims to boost grid resilience, lower long-term consumer costs, and foster cooperation among entities like Golden Valley Electric Association and Chugach Electric Association. The 15-member board includes directors from various sectors of the power industry in Alaska. Notably, among them are the Railbelt Utility Co-ops, Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Alaska IPP, Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG), and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).
A key discussion point in the meeting packet involves the CEO goals outlined starting on page 37. These goals emphasize implementing enforceable standards and regionalized resource planning to promote long-term reliability, sustainability, and affordability across the Railbelt. For the council, this means strengthening collaborative infrastructure projects, mitigating risks from natural disasters and cyber threats, and optimizing costs for consumers through unified generation and transmission strategies. As RRC President and CEO Edward Jenkin stated, “I am excited for the opportunity to lead the RRC and realize the value provided through Railbelt-wide standards and regional planning… to help achieve long-term reliability, sustainability, and affordability.”
Regarding the 2026 budgets, the RRC operates on funds collected via a surcharge from five load-serving utilities under the Equitable Allocation of Costs Rule. The proposed budget, developed publicly, determines the total surcharge amount, though specific figures for 2026 have not been finalized ahead of the meeting. This funding supports standards development, planning, and administrative operations.