HomeMy WebLinkAbout8e Letter of Support Toghotthele Corporation_ �hotthele Corp�p,ir,'.
Martha Koftlers, Off mgr
9/18/13
Grant Manager
Alaska Energy Authority
RE: Letter of Support for Nenana Biomass Project
Shawn,
Toghotthele Corporation is the Alaska native village corporation for Nenana. Toghotthele is very
supportive of the biomass project for the school and other public buildings in Nenana for the following
reasons. (1) It will create new industry in Nenana and provide new jobs for our area, (2) it reduces our
dependence on foreign oil and increases our self-sufficiency, (3) it reduces the risk of wildfire around the
community, (4) it attracts new wildlife like moose and grouse who prefer the new growth trees for food,
(5) it reduces emissions and creates cleaner air in our community, and (6) it creates a market for what
used to be "unmarketable" trees like cottonwoods.
Nenana is very unique in that it already has the infrastructure to support a project like this. There are
already logging operations in production that are creating residual waste that could feed the plant. The
state of Alaska is opening up thousands of acres of agricultural land off the Totchaket Highway near
Nenana that will produce huge quantities of biomass in just the clearing of the land. Nenana has a major
highway (The Parks) and many local logging roads to move the biomass to the boiler. In addition, a
major airport, the railroad, the river barge system, and both power line interties to distribute energy as
well. It is our sense that the entire community is rallying behind this project with all the major
stakeholders in support as well. Please give this project your full consideration as you weigh your
alternatives.
Jim Sackett, CEO
Toghotthele Corporation