Kayla Bourdon started as the Energy Program Coordinator in March of this year, and after just a short time in her position, was accepted into a statewide energy leadership program. The Energy Leadership Accelerator Program, or “ELA,” is hosted by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and is open to participants from Alaska and beyond.

ELA connects remote, islanded communities who are investing time and energy into building and developing alternative energy within their communities and investing in a local workforce. This year’s program had participants from across Alaska and from Guam! Kayla wasn’t sure she’d be accepted, since she was so new at the job.

“I was surprised, and I was excited to get accepted into the group and to form the partnerships that we made, to learn from each other,” Kayla said.

The ELA program walked participants through three months of virtual learning and gathered them for a 7-day in-person intensive on UAF’s campus in Fairbanks. There, Kayla joined her fellow ELA group in facilitated discussions with energy leaders, participated in activities and took a day to tour a biomass facility in Nenana. The ELA participants also traveled to Galena to learn more about biomass facilities used for heating and to view a solar panel field.

Equipment used to harvest wood in Galena to process for wood chips. Photo by Kayla Bourdon.

The trip left Kayla feeling energized and enthusiastic about energy opportunities for the Bering Strait region. She said it was definitely an inspiring week.

“I feel more confident in my role having made connections with the people in my group and with those who presented to us– and also having seen the different projects that other rural communities are making possible,” she said.

Kayla is excited to take what she learned and offer relevant ideas to communities in the Bering Strait region. But that step is a little ways down the road. Kayla said the Bering Strait region is largely at a different point with alternative energy, still learning about options and figuring out potential directions to supplement the diesel-fueled energy systems. But, she said, it’s empowering to see other remote, rural Alaskan communities moving forward with systems that work for them. Kayla sees opportunity and potential in Bering Strait region resources. And when communities are ready to move forward with ideas, she feels more prepared to support them.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) in Fairbanks. Batteries hold 2 MW (2,000 kW) of power in storage for the community. Photo by Kayla Bourdon.

Kayla said participating in the ELA program has helped build her confidence and increased her professional community connections. And seeing other communities making goals and taking steps toward achieving them gives her a vision she’s able to share with communities here.

The Bering Strait Energy Summit took place in March 2026, and a draft regional energy plan is now published for communities’ edits and further input. View the 2026 Bering Strait Regional Energy Plan (draft).