HomeMy WebLinkAboutWSCH Letters of SupportHuna Totem Corporation
WOOSHIEE EEN • PULLING TOGETHER
September 25, 2020
Mr. Curtis Thayer
Executive Director
Alaska Energy Authority
Renewable Energy Fund
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Re: Support for Water Supply Creek Hydro Project
Dear Curtis:
We are pleased to express Huna Totem Corporation's support for Inside Passage Electric
Cooperative's 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 to prepare the final design of the project, which would then advance the
project to the construction phase.
The tourism industry in Hoonah was hit hard by the cancellation of the 2020 cruise
season. Nonetheless, our community continues to grow its tourism industry to prepare for the
return of tourists to Icy Strait Point and the City of Hoonah in 2021.
There is new construction going on for new buildings and tourism infrastructure in town.
Icy Strait Point has built a second dock, new uplands tour and retail development, and two new
high-speed gondolas to allow guests to access more of our unique destination.
To support these developments in our community, Hoonah needs 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. Also, it will reduce the
amount of diesel generation necessary to carry Hoonah's electric load, thereby reducing rates and
rate variability due to diesel prices, along with lowered emissions.
For these reasons, we are proud to support this grant application and project.
Russell A. Dick
President & CEO
9301 Glacier Hwy Suite 200 Juneau, AK 99801 Phone (907) 789-8500 Fax (907) 789-1896
Cit- of Hoonah _
P.O. Box 360 Hoonah, AK 99829 (907) 945-3663 Fax (907) 945-3445
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:
I am pleased to express the City of Hoonah's support for Inside Passage Electric Cooperative's
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.
Hoonah, although hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, continues to grow its tourism industry to
prepare for when tourists return 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. This project will also reduce the amount of diesel generation
needed to carry Hoonah's electric load, thereby reducing rates and rate variability due to diesel
prices.
Res ectfully,
.2�.
i� r 7
Dennis H. Gray, Jr.
City Administrator
A ---
SOUTHEAST
CONFERENCE
September 27, 2020
Alaska Energy Authority
Renewable Energy Fund
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
612 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite B
P.O. Box 21989, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone (907) 586-4360
www.seconferen ce.orn
Email info. seconference.orn
SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
Re: Support for Water Supply Creek Hydro Project
To Whom It May Concern:
Southeast Conference fully supports the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative's
application to the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund for a grant to advance the Water
Supply Creek Hydro project near Hoonah, Alaska. This grant, if awarded, should be
sufficient to prepare the final design of the project, which will advance the project to
the construction phase.
Hoonah is in need of lower cost, clean energy now and into the future. IPEC's goal of
deploying renewable resources is consistent with the Southeast Integrated Resource
Plan and the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The addition of
the Water Supply Creek hydro to the existing Gartina Falls hydro will bring Hoonah to at
least 60% renewable energy. Also, it will reduce the amount of diesel generation
necessary to carry Hoonah's electric load, thereby reducing rates and rate variability due
to diesel prices.
Thank
you for giving this application due consideration,
Robert Venables
Executive Director
PP
ARDOR