HomeMy WebLinkAboutletters of support ~ OVK Kake AEA REFG app
www.energy.gov/indianenergy
September 21, 2012
RE: Alaska Renewable Energy Fund Round 6 Grant Application – Organized Village of Kake
Dear Alaska Energy Authority:
Please accept this letter of support for the Organized Village of Kake’s REF Round 6 grant application for
reconnaissance and design for a biomass-based district heating loop and cordwood boiler system.
The Organized Village of Kake (OVK) has demonstrated effective leadership and initiative in addressing
their extreme energy challenges through their participation in th e US Department of Energy-Office of
Indian Energy’s START program (Strategic Technical Assistance Response Program), as well as this
current application to the REF. As one of the southeast Alaska communities without access to low cost
hydropower, Kake has been struggling with high energy costs and a declining population, yet is blessed
with substantial renewable energy resource potential. Woody biomass is readily available in the region
and can meaningfully contribute to reducing energy costs and increasing local employment. Heating both
the OVK tribal building and the village-owned lodge with biomass will represent both an important
demonstration of local potential and a practical economic development opportunity.
In partnership with the Denali Commission, the Alaska START Program is conducting community-based
planning and training and is enthusiastically supporting the planning and development of a variety of
clean energy projects, including renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency efforts, and ener gy
storage infrastructure. START technical assistance experts work directly with community-based teams to
evaluate project financial and technical feasibility, provide on-going training to community members, and
help implement initiatives that save money b y saving energy.
On behalf of the Alaska START program, we encourage you to support this reconnaissance analysis and
preliminary system design proposal to set the standard for other biomass developments in the
community and region.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tracey A. LeBeau
Director
DOE Office of Indian Energy
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest
Service
Alaska Region
Tongass National Forest
Petersburg Ranger District
P.O. Box 1328
Petersburg, AK 99833-1328
Phone: (907) 772-3871
Fax: (907) 772-5995
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
File Code: 3620
Date: September 24, 2012
Organized Village of Kake
PO Box 316
Kake, AK 99830
PO Box 316
Alaska Energy Authority,
RE: Alaska Renewable Energy Fund Round 6 Grant Application – Organized Village of
Kake
The Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass National Forest fully supports the Organized Village of
Kake’s (OVK) REF Round 6 grant application for reconnaissance and design for a biomass-
based district heating loop and cordwood boiler system.
The Organized Village of Kake continues to demonstrate effective leadership in addressing the
energy needs of Kake. The Petersburg Ranger District supports, and looks forward to
collaboratively working closely with OVK in supplying the wood source to some of those energy
requirements.
The Petersburg Ranger District supports and believes that this is an excellent opportunity for
Kake, and we encourage your support in this reconnaissance analysis and preliminary system design proposal to set the standard for other biomass developments in the community and region.
Sincerely,
/s/ Tom Parker
TOM PARKER
Acting District Ranger
cc: Jason C Anderson