HomeMy WebLinkAboutEATS letter of support hydro 01.12.21EASTERN ALEUTIAN TKI15F.5
3380 C Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 277-1440 ♦ Fax: (907) 277-1446
www.EATribes.org
January 12, 2022
Dear Mayor Hoblet:
We are pleased to offer this letter supporting the City's proposal to complete design and
permitting of a hydropower project on Unga Man Creek to provide local and sustainable
electricity to our community.
We are aware that False Pass has been actively studying hydropower for several years
now, and we are heartened to know that the feasibility study phase is coming to a successful
conclusion and that the City is turning to the next stage of development.
Based on the 2016 feasibility study progress report, the approximately 140 kW run -of -
river project is expected to provide about 75% of the electric utility load. Excess generating
capacity can be dispatched to public buildings to reduce heating fuel usage. Total community
fuel savings are estimated to be about 45,000 gallons per year.
We support this project for several reasons.
1. We expect that hydropower will over time reduce electric rates in the community,
benefiting residents and businesses with direct cost savings and indirect local economic
benefits.
2. The project will help to insulate False Pass from the fuel price volatility and resultant rate
shocks that hit all electric consumers. These harm our businesses and residents. Price
stability is a significant benefit to our community.
3. Local hydropower will be a long-term renewable energy resource for the community. It
will directly improve our resilience, energy security, and long term environmental and
economic sustainability.
4. The project is well -researched. Fisheries studies and hydrology studies conducted since
2015 have demonstrated the water resource is there and that it can be developed without
undue impact on local fisheries.
5. Hydropower is a proven robust technology that has been successfully used for many
decades by many remote communities throughout the Aleutians, Alaska and the world.
There is minimal technology risk with this project.
We appreciate the City's on -going efforts to develop this hydropower project, and we are
pleased to support the current application for grant funding to complete project design and
permitting.
Be safe and mask u ,
Paul Mueller, CE
Working Together to Promote Healthy Communities
Adak ♦ Akutan ♦ Cold Bay ♦ False Pass ♦ King Cove ♦ Nelson Lagoon ♦ Sand Point ♦ Whittier