The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments through April 22 on a plan to expand a soil treatment facility in Anchorage that cleans contaminated dirt using high-temperature processing.

Soil Treatment Technologies wants to increase the capacity of its facility at 2301 Spar Avenue to handle more petroleum and chemical-contaminated soil from around the state. The company uses thermal desorption, which heats soil to remove pollutants, then burns off the contaminated vapors.

The expansion would create a larger footprint for the facility and increase wastewater treatment operations. Contaminated soil would be trucked to the site, treated, and tested to ensure it meets state cleanup standards before being released for reuse or disposal.

The facility currently operates under a state permit but needs approval for the expanded operations plan. The process involves storing contaminated soil in containment areas, heating it to volatilize contaminants, then treating the resulting vapors through thermal oxidation.

Public comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on April 22, 2026. Comments can be submitted online at dec.alaska.gov/comment or mailed to Laura Jacobs at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709.

The complete operations plan is available for review at dec.alaska.gov/comment. The state will consider all comments before deciding whether to approve the expansion.