Sullivan Ensures Alaska Fishermen Eligible for USDA Fuel Cost Relief

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA —U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, today announced the eligibility of Alaska fishermen for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) newly formed Harvest Fuel Relief Program. The program, announced yesterday by USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, makes available $8 billion in relief from recent high energy prices and market disruptions for American farmers and food harvesters. “Like America’s farmers, America’s fishermen have been strained by rising diesel prices and disruptions in global energy markets,” said Sen. Sullivan . “After working closely with Secretary Rollins and the White House, I’m glad to announce that Alaska’s fishermen will have access to USDA’s new Harvest Fuel Relief Program to help offset these increased costs. We need our fishermen to keep doing what they do best: sustainably harvesting the freshest, healthiest wild seafood in the world for the benefit of our coastal communities and the entire country. I encourage all Alaska fishermen to help us get the word out and begin compiling and submitting data on their vessels’ fuel consumption and costs to help USDA determine relief payments.” “Senator Sullivan has always been a steadfast champion of our fishermen,” said Matt Alward, president of the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) . “Alaska’s fishermen thank him for making sure the federal government included fishermen in this new USDA relief program, which will help offset the recent spike in the cost of diesel.” USDA is still in the development stage of the Harvest Fuel Relief program, and an application period announcement is still forthcoming. USDA is currently asking Alaska fishermen to provide reliable on-vessel fuel consumption data as soon as possible and to set up Login.gov accounts in advance of the application period announcement. The agency’s payment methodology will be heavily dependent upon the availability of data. Data can be submitted to HarvestFuel@usda.gov . The Office of Sen. Sullivan is available to assist and can be reached at Contact_Sullivan@sullivan.senate.gov . According to USDA, the $8 billion is being authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Sen. Sullivan has led efforts to provide relief for Alaskans from the recent period of higher energy prices, and to prioritize the needs of Alaska fishermen since joining the Senate. On October 5, 2026, Sens. Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alaska) secured up to $150 million from the U.S. Department of Energy in Defense Production Act (DPA) funding to strengthen electrical transmission between Southcentral and Interior Alaska, enabling access to more affordable energy and lowering costs for Alaska residents and businesses. On August 7, 2026, Sen. Sullivan and the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) Alaska Energy Task Force worked closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to secure $10 million in federal funding to address high energy costs for Alaskans—in addition to the state’s existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) allocation of $12,158,876. On July 17, 2026, Sen. Sullivan and the NEDC Alaska Energy Task Force worked with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to deliver an emergency fuel waiver under Section 211 of the Clean Air Act as a way to help relieve supply pressures in Alaska. The waiver temporarily relaxes federal diesel-fuel sulfur requirements for qualifying sales of Arctic-grade diesel above the Arctic Circle in compatible engines and equipment. In May 2026, at Sen. Sullivan’s urging, Secretary of the Interior and NEDC Chairman Doug Burgum announced a White House Alaska Energy Security Task Force to help address supply disruptions and energy costs in the state. On April 15, 2026, Sen. Sullivan joined USDA Secretary Rollins and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to announce the creation of a new USDA Office of Seafood to expand federal support for Alaska’s fishermen and seafood harvesters and ensure fishermen, small businesses, and coastal communities have greater access to USDA programs. In September 2020, Sens. Sullivan and Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), secured approximately $530 million in trade relief for fishermen and seafood processors—including in Alaska—impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. # # #