Solid Waste Services Director Kelly Toth and Anchorage Water & Wastewater General Manager David Persinger briefed the committee on July 29 about progress on a regional landfill waste‑to‑energy project.

Toth said Senator Lisa Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, put forward a congressional‑directed spending item recommending $1 million for the project next year. Toth said the request is moving through the committee and staff will track the appropriation process; a final determination was described as likely toward the end of the year but no date was fixed in the meeting.

Persinger and deputy manager Mark Spafford said the first RFP for a waste‑characterization study was issued and is open on the municipality’s purchasing website; it was scheduled to close Aug. 6. Staff said the RFP and the congressionally directed spending—if received—would support continuing work on design and permitting for the waste‑to‑energy project.

Toth and Persinger also invited committee members to an open house and to tour the central transfer station and landfill to better understand operations.

Ending: Staff said they will report back to the committee as procurement and appropriation steps progress and will provide a timeline when a final award or congressional appropriation decision is known.