HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAMC letter of support for Hydro 2022
Economic development and advocacy for Southwest Alaska
Economic Development District (EDD) and Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR)
January 12, 2022
Dear Mayor Hoblet:
SWAMC is 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. This is great news.
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. This is a significant reduction in cost to provide power.
We support this project for several reasons, and this is an element of our regional CEDS plan.
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, and a priority of businesses.
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. This is a known driver for private investment in Alaska.
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.
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.
Your Sincerely,
Shirley Marquardt, Executive Director Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference
3300 Arctic Blvd Suite 203 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 smarquardt@swamc.org 907‐562‐7380
Economic development and advocacy for Southwest Alaska
Economic Development District (EDD) and Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR)
Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference
3300 Arctic Blvd, Suite 203
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 562‐7380
smarquardt@swamc.org