HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnch COC Letter of Support4V *
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER
o I CC M ME KC E
September 10, 2010
Bradley W. Evans, Chief Executive Officer
Chugach Electric Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 196300
Anchorage, AK 99519-6300
Re: Letter of Support
Dear Mr. Evans:
1016 W. Sixth Avenue, Suite 303
Anchorage, AK 99501
The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce supports Chugach Electric Association's Alaska Energy
Authority renewable energy grant application for funding to perform preliminary routing and
design of a transmission line to bring renewable geothermal energy from Mt. Spurr to the
Railbelt grid.
Cook Inlet energy supplies have fallen below what is a comfortable capacity upon which to base
a Railbelt economy and supply and deliverability continue to be a challenge for energy
managers. Alaska possesses substantial renewable energy resources that in addition to providing
clean energy and potentially lowering fuel cost provide stability by diversifying the region's
power supply.
A successful geothermal development at Mt. Spurr would provide region -wide benefits and the
transmission line would be designed to accommodate future development of a hydro resource at
Lake Chakachamna.
Our members consistently rank rising energy costs as one of their primary challenges in doing
business. Given recent economic instability, stable energy supplies and increase in spending
resulting from construction and design of a project of his scale would represent positive news to
the local business community.
In summary, on behalf of our 1,200 members, representing 70,000 employees, the Anchorage
Chamber is writing to support this project. A transmission line is essential to deliver this power
to the Railbelt, it is timely to begin routing and design work, and a grant for this purpose is a
prudent use of State funds.
Sincerely,
William J. Evans, 2010-11 chair
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
T 907.272.2401 www.anchoragechambei.org F 907.272.4117