HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport Letter from Usibelli Coal Mine IncUSIBELLI COAL MINE, INC.
P.O. Box 1000 ■ Healy, AK 99743
(907) 683-2226 ■ lax (907) 683.2253
May 30, 2012
Ms. Veronica Nicholas, President
Native Village of Cantwell
PO Box 94
Cantwell, AK 99729
Re: Jack River 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 the Jack River Hydro Project.
The Jack River Hydro Project (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, the Jack River appears to be a site that is technically
feasible and environmentally attractive for a small hydro facility. You should be able to bring
the Project 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.
H. Keith Waters P.E
X?�AIa14
V.P. Planning and Budget