The military wants to host data centers in Alaska, raising questions about whether there’s enough gas to power them

The military wants to host data centers in Alaska, raising questions about whether there’s enough gas to power them

Anchorage’s energy future is at a crossroads as the U.S. Air Force eyes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) for new, power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers, sparking critical questions about our region’s dwindling natural gas supply. The Department of the Air Force recently issued a request for proposals, inviting developers to build AI data centers on military bases nationwide, including multiple sites at JBER, some as large as nearly 200 acres. This initiative stems from a past executive order aimed at boosting U.S. technological advancement and leveraging military real estate for economic opportunities. However, local electric utilities, including Anchorage’s Chugach Electric Association, have voiced concerns that the current natural gas supply from Cook Inlet may be insufficient to meet the substantial electricity demands of such large-scale facilities.

What This Means for Anchorage
For Anchorage residents, this development presents a complex picture of potential economic growth alongside significant energy challenges. While bringing cutting-edge technology and new jobs to our community is appealing, the prospect of increased electricity demand could exacerbate our already precarious natural gas supply from Cook Inlet. This situation could lead to higher utility costs for homes and businesses across neighborhoods like Spenard and Government Hill, and raise questions about the long-term reliability of our power grid, especially as we rely on the same infrastructure that serves JBER and its vital role in our local economy.

Local Context
Alaska’s unique energy landscape, particularly in Southcentral, heavily relies on natural gas from Cook Inlet for electricity and heating, a supply that has been steadily declining. This makes the