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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetters of Support1,enanscrja�o Lake and Peninsula Bor ouch 10 PO. Box 495 King Sahwosz, Alaska 9961,3 Telephone: (907) 2 ' 421 Fax.- (90,7) 246 6602 rrur_00ra ted Apr,,4l -. State of Alaska Alaska Energy Authority 913 IN Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage Ali 99503 October .31, 2008 RE: Kinetic Hydro -electric study proposal. Dear AEA Review Team Members, This communication serves as the Lake and Peninsula Borough (LPB) letter of support for Alaska Green Energy in conjunction with the Tanalan Community Utility efforts to obtain funding to conduct needed studies of potential for kinetic hydro -electric in the Port Alsworth area. The reasons to seek alternative energy sources are obvious in all LPB communities and particularly those with only one transportation system -air service -to deliver needed goods and fuel as well the overall high energy cost. Por these reason, again, we support this effort. Sincerely, -,i �7 l .;r / 1;,._ Lamar Cotten Borough Manager Lake and Peninsula Borough PO BOX 495 King Salmon, Alaska 99613 Phone: 907.246.342:1 Anch.: 907.272.5078 Cell: 907.301, 8 73 7 Clinnik Bay • Chignik Lagoon • Chigck Lake - Egegik+ Igiug�g • Iliamna • Ivarof Bay • Vokhanok • Lavelock Newhalen • Nondal:on • Pedro Bay • Pemrville • Pilot :Point • Pope Vannoy • Pori Alnworth • Port Heiden • Ugashik United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL Lake Clark National Park and Preserve SERRK VICE CE Admin/HO Office 240 W. 5" Ave., Ste. 236, Anchorage, AK 99501 Field Office General Delivery, Port Alsworth, AK 99653 (LACL) October 29, 2008 Alaska Green Energy M. Murph O'Brien, Planning Director 1150 S. Colony Way, Suite 333 Palmer, AK 99645 RE: Kinetic -Hydro Study Grant Proposal Dear Mr. O'Brien: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve stretches from the shores of Cook Inlet, across the Chigmit Mountains, to the tundra covered hills of the western interior. The community of Port Alsworth on Lake Clark serves as the primary gateway to the park and preserve and I manage a sizeable compound there to support park operations. Like much of rural Alaska, it is very expensive to live and operate from such an isolated community. I have followed with interest the considerable recent discussions about renewable energy potentials. I have begun to investigate the possibility for a Kinetic -Hydro Energy Conversion Study at Port Alsworth and have discussed my intentions with the community and power cooperative. Weaning the park and our community neighbors off the diesel generated electricity we use today must be a priority financially and environmentally. This is not simply economics. As tens of thousands of gallons of fuel are flown into Port Alsworth, the community and region are exposed to air and landing mishaps on a scale far beyond anything envisioned by the early Alaska pioneers that developed the private airstrips now used in Port Alsworth. Reducing these accident potentials and their consequences through improved renewable power is the right thing to do. I understand you are seeking a grant application for such a study under a parallel course. I offer my support for such a study and commit to cooperate with you to the fullest extent that I can consistent with Federal laws and policy should you be successful. The National Park Service maintains land management rights to a one-half mile corridor along the Tanalian River and I am committed to advancing the possibilities for kinetic -hydro power generation while fulfilling the resource protection expectations in the Organic Act, ANILCA and the National Environmental Protection Act, TAKE PR1DE` =I I NAM E P I CA—:`� This community continues to develop in the entrepreneurial spirit of earlier times. What once was a community centered on the subsistence way of life, businesses supporting sport fishing, hunting, bear -viewing and back -country adventures have become a critical and productive part of Port Alsworth. Supporting these businesses, their families and the environment upon which they depend requires newer, cleaner and cheaper power. I am certain such technology will provide many additional opportunities to strengthen the region's economy. Sincerely, �w Joel L. Hard Superintendent Joel hard(c�nps.Qov (907) 644-3627 cc: Sue Masica, Alaska Region Director Tim Hudson, Alaska Region Associate Director for Operations Mayor Olen R. Alsworth Sr., Lake and Peninsula Borough Dave Wilder, Lake and Peninsula Borough Administrator Mark Lang, Port Alsworth Improvement Corporation TAKE PRIDE 4 l rv�M E R t CA--;• 111V(/4U0U IZ;pb ye//dt zzbz MARK LANE PAGE 02 Port Alsworth Improvement Corporation RESOLUTION 2008-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE PORT ALSWORTH IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION IN SUPPORT OF A MICRO M DRO ELECTRIC ENERGY SOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF PORT ALSWORTH. WHEREAS, the Community of Port Alsworth depends on electrical energy produced by expensive fossil fuel and is served solely by air transport and air freight with no road or barge service into the Community; and WHEREAS; fuel costs continue to drive electrical rates to unbearable record levels and the price of fuel rises while world supplies dwindle; and WIIEREAS, Local, State, and Federal Governments recognize the need to reduce our dependence on these dwindling fuel supplies by replacing them with alternative "green" energy sources and they support these sources through grants, etc; and WHEREAS, there exists a feasible alternative hydro energy source N3ithin reasonable distance from the Community that if developed would greatly reduce the cost of electrical power and dependence on fossil fuel. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Port Alsworth Improvement Corporation fully supports the grant -funding and construction of a "Micro Hydro Electric Fneroy .Cnnrrr" to be tiod iato the local dietribution VyVtom. PASSED AND APPROVED by a duly constituted quorum of the Port Alsworth Improvement Corporation on this 6's day of November, 2008. IN WITNESS THEREOF: th Kro ce — Vice President 11/07/2008 12:56 9077812252 MARK SANG PAGE 01 Taaalian Electric Co-op., Inc. P:O. Box 1 Port Alsworth, AK 99653 November Oh, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: Tanalian Electric Cooperative, Inc. is the only non profit and member owned electric utility serving the Community of Port Alsworth. Our goal is to provide affordable and dependable electrical power thereby enhancing the life, health, safety, and economic growth of our community. Our community is served solely by air transportation and air freight with no road or barge service available. Fuel costs continue to drive electrical rates to unbearable record levels and the price of fuetrises while world supplies dwindle. Because of this dependence on fossil fuels our i:. electrical rates have gone up by one hundred thirty percent since inception putting a huge fin au�r aio on household and State budgets. Ourutli{s well as Local State and Federal governments recognize the need to "wean" , owveieom nonrenewable fossil fuels to cleaner -less expensive "green" alternative a exists a feasible alternative hydro Y energy source within reasonable distance '1iyi f:'dAiN vv,kuk,w,iiy dkuk, if developed, would greatly reduce the cost of electrical power ennce on fossil fuel. ?:;kt I ey i`tbe known that the Tanalian Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Community of Port Alsworth fully support the grant -funding and construction of a "Micro Hydro Electric Energy Source" or similar type construction to be tied into our local distribution system For comment or questions I can be reached at (907) 781-2224; via E-mail at marklang(Wakeclark com or FAX (907) 781-2252. Sincerely, k Lang Manager Tanalian ,Electric Cooperative, Inc. 4�u-la ��. .