HomeMy WebLinkAbout130923-UsibelliSupportJackRiver September 23rd, 2013
Mr. Arnel Hernandez, Administrator
Native Village of Cantwell
PO Box 94
Cantwell, AK 99729
Re: Jack River Hydro Project
Dear Mr. Hernandez,
This letter is written in support of the efforts by the Native Village of Cantwell to perform a
feasibility study for the Jack River Hydro Project.
The reconnaissance study completed earlier this year identified several possible hydro project
configurations ranging in capacity from 1.6 to 7.3 MW. The feasibility study would collect
additional field data (fisheries, hydrology, geotechnical, etc.) needed to identified the best project
configuration and feasibility.
The Jack River Hydro Project (Project) appears to make good sense from several perspectives. The
mega hydro projects currently receiving most of the attention have technical and environmental
hurdles to overcome and, if feasible, will take a decade or more to permit and build. From my
knowledge of the area, Jack River appears to be a site that is technically feasible and
environmentally attractive for a small hydro facility. The Project should be able to be brought on
line in a relatively short time frame.
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. is involved in looking at renewable energy resources in the Healy area and
supports the concept of small distributed renewable generation. I believe there are many similar
sites throughout Alaska that could provide good low head power production, with little
environmental risk and relatively low cost. Although each unit may be small, they can be built in
reasonable cost increments and add up to a significant addition in generating capacity.
Good luck in your development of the Project. It will be good for Cantwell, the Denali Borough
and the Railbelt and hopefully can lead the way to many future projects of a similar nature in the
Railbelt and throughout Alaska.
Sincerely,
Robert Brown
V.P. Business Development
Cc: Joel D. Groves