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HomeMy WebLinkAbout130923-UsibelliSupportLetterCarloCreekHydro September 23rd, 2013 Mr. Arnel Hernandez, Administrator Native Village of Cantwell PO Box 94 Cantwell, AK 99729 Re: Carlo Creek Hydro Project Dear Mr. Hernandez, This letter is written in support of the efforts by the Native Village of Cantwell to perform a reconnaissance study for a hydro power project in Carlo Creek near Cantwell, Alaska. Carlo Creek drains approximately 12 square miles of the Alaska Range. The proposed run-of-river hydro project would divert an estimated 50 cfs from Carlo Creek at an elevation of approximately 2,700 feet, divert it through an approximately 6,000 to 10,000 foot long penstock to a powerhouse near the Parks Highway at an elevation of 2,000 to 2,200 feet. Estimated installed capacity is 1.5 MW, and annual energy generation is estimated at 5,256,000 kWh per year. The Carlo Creek (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, Carlo Creek 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