Energy relief 'bonus' dividend looking smaller

This fall’s energy relief payment, which would go out along with the annual Permanent Fund dividend, is looking smaller than expected several months ago.

The “bonus” on the 2024 dividend would come from state revenues in excess of what is needed to cover the spending plan approved by lawmakers and the governor last spring. The Legislature included a provision in the state budget that said half of any surplus would go into savings and half into an energy relief payment to Alaskans.

The latest projection for the fall payment is about $175, Alexei Painter, director of the Legislative Finance Divi...