HomeMy WebLinkAboutDon Young Letter of Support 02-08-2007DON YOUNG
CClNGA£S5IolAN FOA ALL.AL.AS1Ul
WA8t4JMBTON OFFICE
2 t11 R_"'UHN IkI'LOIl'lG
TELCPi lONE 202J225-576S
W\'ffl .HOu:OE.GO'iJiloN'rouNDI
CHAIRMAN
CCIIMrTTEe 0,.
TR"NSPORT~ION
COIl~EON
RES DURces
~MMm£EON
HOMELANO SECURrTY..
Clt~trf~~W~
~eM~pres~.
~rr.)Dal ZD51~
February 6,2007
DaVid K Gannan
Under Secretary
U.S.Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue.S.W.
Washington,DC 20565
Dear Under Secretary Garman:
Naknek Electric Association updated me on their efforts to develop a geoU1ermal
system for the Naknek-South Naknek-King Salmon area,with the possibility of
expansion to some 25 communities throughout the entire Bristol Bay area of western
Alaska.The Naknek delegation reported that they also briefed you on the project.I want
to thank you for taking the time to meet with them.
As you know,I have for some years now been encouraging utiUties and residents
throughout my State,particularly those in the rural areas,to explore alternatives to the
fossil fuels on which most Alaskans are dependent.The cost of diesel fuel in the Bush is
driving both electric and heating costs beyond the means of many of our rural residents.
Some have already been forced to leave their communities for places wtIere the cost of
liVing is less expensive.
I fully support the efforts of the Naknek cooperative to identify and Utilize the
geothermal resource that exists in their area,as a replacement for diesel for both
electricity and home heating.We all know this pursuit and development will be
expensive,but I am con'Jinced it is the right thing to do for the Bristol Bay area and its
economy.Naknek Electric Association,like most of our electric utilities.is very small
and has already invested c:or1siderable resources of its own and plans to invest more.I
was told the co-op will be drilling two shallow exploratory geothermal wells next month,
and is working with a resources company already in the area to drill an initial deep well
next spring if the necessary funding can be assembled.
I applaud this initiative.and request that you provide Naknek Electric Association
with whatever assistance might be available in your Department Thank you for
consKteration of this matter.Please feel free to contact me if you have further
questions.
S10LS._T
Sum:sao
hiCltOIWlI:.AA 99SO'
90/·271·587B
:111 \/iIWM Sr.13
P.O ••••10311
Beltla,Ate 995SG
907·5&3·1ii37
\01 1 zrlo/l.elNl!
&00 10
F~.A\MII~ii701
907045~10
871'"-'.Iluut ••••p.o.e..Zl:on
,/\INCAI/.Aua\'se02
90NllO-7£QQ
130T_a..•fb\D
Soli 1as
Kc;i\OlI.Al_lISI11
!IlI7~Boa
510 W.I'I!.SmUT
~101
Kal>olWt,Au._nsal
llO7-225~
851 E ••r W,••POlWI D1wEsu"omtN_IIWI.""""_54
9(77-3711·7-.s