"In Alaska today, nearly 80% of rural communities are dependent on diesel fuel for their primary energy needs. The poorest Alaskan households spend up to 47% of their total income on energy, more than five times their urban neighbors." -A COMMONWEALTH North Study Report,                dated February 2012 The high cost of energy is threatening the sustainability of rural Alaskan communities and the health benefits provided by modern water and sewer facilities.

Water and sewer utilities rely heavily on electricity and heating oil to provide reliable service through the cold winter months; consequently, they represent a significant percentage of each community's energy consumption and costs. In fact, arctic water systems comprise up to 30 percent of a community's total energy.

DEHE programs are committed to reducing operating costs of water systems for community buildings and homes, protecting the environment, and providing sustainable public health infrastructure that saves on fuel and health care costs, leading to healthier Alaskans. DEHE is working to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent or more through its energy projects. This should translate into lower utility bills to home owners and village governments.

Sustainability opportunities in Alaska:

Energy audits of public buildings

Energy audits of the water system

Heat recovery from electric plants

Wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass development