HomeMy WebLinkAboutUsibelli Support Letter
September 05, 2012
Ms. Veronica Nicholas, President
Native Village of Cantwell
PO Box 94
Cantwell, AK 99729
Re: Carlo Creek Hydro Project
Dear Ms. Nicholas,
This letter is written in support of the efforts by the Native Village of Cantwell to perform a
feasibility 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 severe 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 s mall 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.
H. Keith Waters P.E.
V.P. Planning and Budget
Cc: Arnel Hernandez, Joel D, Groves