HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribe support letterFalse Pass Tribal Council
P.O. Box 29
False Pass, Alaska 99583
(907) 548-2227
email FPtribaloffice@gmail.com
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 longterm 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.
Sincerely,
Travis Hoblet
President, False Pass Tribal Council