Utilities

A full complement of utilities is available within the Anchorage area.

There are two electric companies that provide service, depending on where you live within the Municipality of Anchorage. They are: Municipal Light & Power (ML&P), and Chugach Electric Association. Residential rates and deposits will differ slightly.

ML&P is a municipally-owned utility that supplies high-quality and reliable electric power to nearly 30,000 residential and commercial customers in the Anchorage area. The utility does not charge a membership fee. It requires a deposit for service that is based on twice the average of monthly charges. This deposit can be waived for customers with good credit histories. ML&P provides residential electric service for approximately 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour and has a $6.56 monthly customer charge.

Chugach Electric Association is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. The utility requires membership and connection fees, which normally total $20, but waives its standard deposit of $60 for customers with good credit histories. In August 2000, the cost for residential electric service was a monthly charge of $6.25, plus per-kilowatt-hour charges of 8.68 cents per kwh.

ENSTAR Natural Gas Company is the service provider for Anchorage. Most homes have natural gas-fueled heat. A deposit based on twice the average monthly natural gas bill of the dwelling (not to exceed $100 for first-time customers) is required. The monthly customer charge is $4.50 plus a base rate of about 35 cents per 100 cubic feet of natural gas. The rate can differ slightly depending on gas cost adjustments and regulatory charges.

The Municipality owns the Water and Wastewater Utility serving 80 percent of Anchorage. Some homes in Anchorage are on private wells and septic systems. The utility offers a flat monthly rate per unit for residential facilities of $25.97 for water and $21.94 for sewer services. Metered commercial customers are billed at a metered rate of $2.64 per 1,000 gallons of water, in addition to a customer charge of $6.80 and a meter charge, which depends on the size of the meter.

Anchorage Municipal Solid Waste Services or Anchorage Refuse and Recycling conduct trash removal in the city, depending on where you live. Rates are billed quarterly for weekly curbside pick up. The Municipality charges $15 per month; Anchorage Refuse charges $14.82.