HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEAMF Support Letter for OrmatIfEAMembers Forum
3734Ben Walters Lane
Homer, AK 99603
October 5"2009
Alaska Energy Authority
813 West Northern Lights Boulevard
Anchorage, AK 99503
Re: Ormat Industries'Grant Application for Mount Spurr Geothermal Exploration, AEA Renewable
Energy Fund, Round III,
Dear people:
Homer Electric Association Members Forum (HEAMF) represents the growing number of Homer Electric
Association members wanting to see our rural power cooperative and other "railbelt'2 utilities take more
aggressive steps toward embrace of clean, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. It is our
conviction that this is absolutely necessary if we are to maintain public health, qualrty of life, and a viable
economy.
HEAMF is enthusiastic about the potential of our geothermal resource at Mt. Spurr. We are therefore
pleased that Ormat Technologies, a world leader in the geothermal power sector with over forty years of
experience is serious about exploring there. IIEAMF supports Ormat's application for a $2 millionAlaska
Renewable Energy fund grant to help underwrite this vital work.
Geothermal generation of electric power is a mature technology, thoroughly proven and effectively
utilized in several parts of the Untied States and in other nations. If Ormat's explorations result in
construotion of a 50 to 100 MW facility at Mt. Spurr it would provide the dependable, base load power
required by our cooperative and other utilities to take full advantage of intermittent sources such as the
wind farm being developed at Fire Island. By assuring the viability of such sources, providing both short
term and sustainable jobs, and contributing to stabilization ofelectric rates, such a plant would be a boon
for the region and, indirectly, to the whole state.
I{EAMF urges the Alaska Energy Authority to grant Ormat Industries $2 million from the Renewable
Energy Fund to help offset the considerable expense of exploration at Mt. Spurr. Given the potential
retums to Alaskans, it is difficult to imagine a more practical investment. Should you wish to discuss this
topic please feel free to contact me at907-399-4022 or mikeo@horizonsatellite.com.
Sincerely,
(AA
VV\
Mike O'Meara
IIEA Members Forum Spokesman