HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislative Support Letterrood-Jl-euiu ww U3•49 rn r"A Mk r, ve
Juneau Delegation
Senator Dennis Epa
Repreuntative Beth Kerttula
Representative Cathy Munoz
March 26, 2010
Honorable Lisa Murkowski
709 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Honorable Mark Begich
144 Russell Senate Office Building
Washh&n, DC 20510
Honorable Don Young
2111 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator Murkowski, Senator Begich, and Congressman young,
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska
99801-1182
We are writing to express our support for the FY 2011 funding request for avalanche mitigation of
the Snettisham transmission line.
Damage to Me transmission line caused by the avalanches of 2008 and 2009 separated Juneau
from the Snettisham hydroelectric generators —the source of most of Juneau's electric power.
Juneau is fortunate in that Alaska Electric LijW and Power Co, (AELP) the community's local
public utility, had back-up generators avaW* to supply power In the face of such natural
disasters. Nevertheless, near -record diesel prices in 2008 and a rate of consumption of nearly
80,000 gallons of diesel per day oombined to have a sig grant adverse economic impact to the
community.
The Snettisham generation proud and transmission tine are owned by the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority (AIDE=A) and maintained by AELP, who we understand briefed
you on the request several weeks ago. The avalanche mitigation project will significantly enhance
the safety of the transmission lines and, in the even of a recurrence reduce recovery time and
dependency on oil.
Sincerely,
r
yen nis Egan__p C -
)Representative th Kerttula