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S
ION OF FORESTRY
GOVERNOR SEAN PARNELL SAP 1 12012 alOffice 550 W 7+h entre1450
TpK Area F Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3566
0r ftMain: 907.269.8463
y_V Fax:907.269.8931
September 6, 2012
Mr. Shawn Calfa
Grant Administrator
Alaska Energy Authority
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Re: Support for the AGSD Biomass Heat Loop Project: AEA 13-006 Round 6 Renewable Energy Fund grant
application
Dear Mr. Calfa:
This letter is to express support from the Division of Forestry, Department of Natural Resources for Alaska
Gateway School District's (AGSD) Biomass Heat Loop Project being submitted to the Alaska Energy Authority.
The Division of Forestry has an office in Tok which provides both wildland fire and forest resource program
implementation. The wildland fire function is seasonal, so Tok experiences a large increase in personnel and
facility use depending on the severity of the fire season. The year-round functions are focused in the forest
resource program area and are expected to increase due to the demand for biomass development from both
public and private sectors. Tok Forestry is very active in addressing community interest and needs for firewood,
biomass, timber sales, employment opportunities through both the Wildland Fire Academy and seasonal
firefighter employment.
The escalating costs of heating fuel make renewable energy options increasingly attractive to Forestry. We are
interested in purchasing lower cost heat from this heat loop if it becomes available. We are willing pursue funding
to invest in modifications to our existing building heat infrastructure to connect to the heat loop if it makes good
business sense.
We support AGSD's application for a grant from AEA to design and build a heat loop originating from the AGSD
wood boiler facility. With the funding for facilities such as ours tightening, we recognize the need to adapt our
business models, including diversification of energy resources. We are pleased that the proposed project would
offer lower and more stable heat energy prices for the future. You are welcome to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
John "Chris" Maisch
State Forester
Cc: Mike Curran, Coastal Region Forester
Jeff Hermanns, Tok Area Forester