HomeMy WebLinkAboutLouden Tribal Council LOSMr. Shawn Calfa
Grant Administrator
Alaska Energy Authority
813 West Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
P.O. Box 244
Galena, Alaska 997 41
Phone (907) 656-1 711
Fax (907) 565-1 716
September 10, 2012
RE: Application to Renewable Energy Grant Program AEA 13-006
Dear Mr. Calfa,
I am writing in support of the grant application for a biomass energy project in
Galena for the Louden Tribal Council (aka Galena Village). The Louden Tribal
Council, City of Galena and Galena School District have been working together for
the past three to four years on looking for an alternative energy source which will
reduce the costs of living in rural Alaska.
The Louden Tribal Council is in support for the wood biomass heat system being
proposed for the Galena Interior Learning Academy. We are looking at the school as
a starting point for resolving the high energy costs for our community. The
infrastructure is in place on the Galena Base to support this system. It is realized
that with the technology of today we will not be able to totally stop the use of fossil
fuel in our community, but we will be able to reduce its use. Currently our
community is dependent on fuel for heat and electricity. By moving forward with
this partnership we are taking the necessary steps to move the majority of our
dependence on diesel to a renewable, sustainable and predictable fuel source -
wood.
The Louden Tribal Council commits the 10% of its Tribal Administrator ($6,656)
and Accountant ($6,656) time, salary and fringe benefits to the development and
operation of this biomass system.
The biomass energy project will contribute to community self-reliance in Galena. It
will also create work for local community members and contribute to economic and
workforce development.
Biomass Energy uses local fuel, creates local jobs, and contributes to economic
localization. Additionally, the sustainable harvest of woody biomass contributes to
healthier forests, enhanced wildlife habitat and reduced wildfire risk
The Louden Tribal Council is in full support of the City of Galena's application to
Alaska Energy Authority for the new biomass system on the GILA campus.
j~ank~ '--/1~~-~kaf tu~udM j-r;
Frederick Huntington, Sr.
1st Chief, Louden Tribal Council