By Dan Joling The Associated Press AP

6:12 p.m. AKST, December 18, 2012
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

The Alaska Energy Authority has submitted a plan for two years of environmental work on the proposed multi-billion dollar Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.

The AEA on Friday formally submitted its Revised Study Plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees non-federal hydroelectric power projects.

The public has until Jan. 18 to comment on the plan and the commission is expected to accept or reject it by Feb. 1.

Gov. Sean Parnell last week hailed submission of the plan as a milestone toward building the dam and power-generating system aimed at providing renewable energy for much of the state's population.

His proposed fiscal year 2014 budget includes $95 million for field work.

AEA public outreach liaison Emily Ford says the plan lays out 58 individual studies.