HomeMy WebLinkAboutHIA IPEC Support letterHOONAH INDIAN ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 602
Hoonah, AK 99829-0602
Phone: 907.945.3545 Fax: 907.945.3703
September 25, 2020
Alaska Energy Authority
Renewable Energy Fund
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Re: Support for Water Supply Creek Hydro Project
To Whom It May Concern:
Hoonah Indian Association (HIA), the Federally Recognized Tribe of the Xunaa Tlingit is
pleased to express our strong support for Inside Passage Electric Cooperative’s (IPEC)
application to the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund for a grant to advance the Water Supply
Creek Hydro project near Hoonah, Alaska. It is our understanding that the grant, if awarded,
will be used 100% to prepare the final design of the project, which will advance the project to
the construction phase.
Our community is actively growing its tourism industry to prepare for the return of the
visiting public to Alaska. There is new construction going on for new buildings, and tourism
infrastructure. Hoonah is in need of lower cost, clean energy now and into the future. The
addition of the Water Supply Creek hydro to the existing Gartina Falls hydro will bring
Hoonah to at least 60% renewable energy. The proposed project will reduce the amount of
diesel generation necessary to carry Hoonah’s electric load, thereby reducing rates and rate
variability due to diesel prices.
To our Tribe, an even more important impact is that of establishing much needed equity
within the energy rating formulation of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
which provides a substantial boost when hydro power provides the majority of the
community’s electrical generation capability. So substantial is the Hydro energy rating
differential that an identical building in Juneau rated at 5+ stars achieves only a 3 star rating
in Hoonah though only separated by 45 air miles. As a developer of needed affordable
housing within the community, being able to get projects eligible for AHFC permanent
financing is a critical necessity tied to the availability of Hydro based power.
Aatlein Gunalchéesh (Thank You very much)
Robert Starbard
Tribal Administrator