HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPPENDIX 1 - NVKK REF - Appendices 1 - Resolutions and Letters of SupportTribal Resolution
Letters of Support
612 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite B
P.O. Box 21989, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone (907) 586-4360
www.seconference.org
Email info@seconference.org
SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
November 21, 2022
Re: Letter of Support for Kluti-Kaah Renewable Energy Fund Application
To Whom it May Concern:
Please consider this a letter of support for the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah’s application to the Alaska
Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy Fund. Southeast Conference is the primary partner with the Alaska
Wood Energy Development Task Group (AWEDTG) and as such, we facilitate community efforts in their
project development, including applications for Pre-Feasibility Studies. Several years ago, the community
of Kluti-Kaah was the successful recipient of a Prefeasibility study which was done by Coffman
Engineering.
This grant application proposes to finalize the construction for the proposed small-scale wood chip boiler
that would serve a district heating loop in the community of Kluti-Kaah. With the successful completion
of this grant, the community will have an operational system, displacing about 23,000 of heating oil
annually.
Southeast Conference and the Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group have a program goal of
increasing the use of wood and other biomass fuels for energy production in Alaska (primarily wood for
space heat). There are currently over 50 installed wood heating systems across the State, utilizing local
resources, and creating local jobs. They are also helping reduce the cost of heating while making the
community more sustainable. A project such as this would benefit the community of Kluti-Kaah by
reducing the cost of heating and making the community more sustainable.
Thank you for considering this grant application for the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah and providing the
fullest support possible. Southeast Conference will continue to participate with the other members of
the AWEDTG to encourage the objectives of the Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy Fund to
reduce the cost of energy for Alaska ratepayers.
Sincerely,
Robert Venables
Executive Director
Southeast Conference
Ahtna Intertribal
Resource Commission
PO Box 613 – Glennallen, Alaska 99588 www.ahtnatribal.org
Phone: (907) 822-4466 Fax: (907) 822-4406 connect@ahtnatribal.org
Tsin’aen
November 28, 2022
Ms. Karin St. Clair
Grants Manager, Alaska Energy Authority
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
RE: Letter of support for Native Village of Kluti-Kaah’s Biomass Heat Energy Project for
the AEA REF Program
To Whom It May Concern:
Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) is pleased to provide this letter of support for
the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah’s (Kluti-Kaah) proposed wood chip boiler project.
AITRC has previously administered a Department of Energy, Indian Energy grant that was
designed to increase the ability of the Ahtna tribes to reduce their energy costs. AITRC helped
several tribes develop successful biomass projects that have helped to lower their energy costs.
For this project, AITRC has provided technical support from biomass experts in developing the
scope of the project, and grant writing assistance in preparing grant applications to the US Forest
Service and Denali Commission.
AITRC continues to support efforts to development a biomass-based economy and infrastructure
for the Ahtna region. While heating fuel is near or above $6 per gallon it is more crucial that we
do all we can to reduce energy costs. Kluti-Kaah’s project will aide in supporting a regional
initiative to replace imported heating oil with local, renewable biomass resources all which
contribute to lower tribal energy costs. The benefits of this initiative are expected to reduce the
risk of wildfires, improve the health of our forests, improve natural habitat, and create local jobs
in an economically depressed region of Alaska.
AITRC asks that you consider approving the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah Biomass Heat Energy
Project. Please contact me with any questions or concerns or if you require any additional
information.
Sincerely Yours,
Karen Linnell
Executive Director
1
3200 Brookside Drive
Anchorage, AK 99517 907-299-0268
www.deerstoneconsulting.com
November 19, 2022 Karin St. Clair, Grants Manager Alaska Energy Authority 813 W. Norther Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK
RE: Support for the Renewable Energy Fund Application for the Native Village of
Kluti-Kaah
Ms. St. Clair:
Please accept this letter of support for the Renewable Energy Fund Application for the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah. Native Village of Kluti-Kaah is proposing to complete the construction of a small-scale wood chip boiler for a community district heating system. DeerStone Consulting has partnered with The Copper River/Ahtna region to develop biomass heating projects with the long-term goal of a regional biomass economy. This region is making significant strides in this area with the successful operation of five wood heating systems. Kluti-Kaah’s proposed district heating system will be an important step as the region continues to stimulate their economy by creating local jobs, lowering heating costs, and developing a use for hazardous fuels harvested to support wildland fire mitigation. The Native Village of Kluti-Kaah has worked closely with the Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group to make sure that their engineering design is benefiting from the learnings of Alaska’s 52 operating wood heating systems. They are selecting best available technology that will result in a high efficiency, low emission facility that can be easily maintained in a remote location. It is an honor to be working with this highly motivated team that has a vision that so closely matches the goals of the Wood Innovations Program. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information or answer any questions. Sincerely,
Brian Hirsch Chief Operating Officer DeerStone Consulting
Denali Commission
510 L Street, Suite 410
Anchorage, AK 99501
907.271.1414 (P)
907.271.1415 (F)
888.480.4321(TF)
www.denali.gov
December 1, 2022
Ms. Karin St. Clair
Grants Manager, Alaska Energy Authority
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
Re: Kluti-Kaah AEA REF round 15 Grant Application Match
Ms. St. Clair,
The Denali Commission (Commission) is an independent federal agency established to support
the development of critical infrastructure, economic development, and workforce training needs
for rural Alaska in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and private partners. In
partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Commission awarded $315,000 to NVKK in 2020
to complete Phase 1 of this project via a Wood Energy Innovation grant; this funding can be
considered NVKK’s required match contribution to an REF grant award.
The scope of work for Phase 1 of the project is construction of a district heating loop that will
deliver the sustainable, low-cost biomass heat generated by a small-scale wood chip boiler to the
NVKK Tribal Hall, maintenance shop, Head Start building, and the tribal office/clinic building
in Copper Center, Alaska. Construction is currently underway and roughly half the Denali
Commission’s award has been expended to date.
In their REF Round 15 grant application, NVKK proposes to advance the project into Phase 2
with the expansion of the district heating loop to include the Cultural Learning and Recreational
Center. The completion of Phase 2 will lead to the displacement of approximately 23,000 gallons
of heating oil annually using a locally available, renewable energy resource. Moreover, the
biomass heat loop will create much needed local jobs and generate economic opportunity in this
small community. We understand that these objectives make Phase 2 of NVKK’s community
biomass project a prime candidate for an REF grant award, and we are in support of their
application.
Sincerely,
Katie Conway
Denali Commission Energy Program Manager