HomeMy WebLinkAboutUsibelli Coal Mine Support Letter�C�7ii
i° USIBELLI COAL MINE, INC.
PO Box 1000 a Healy, Alaska 99743
Telephone (907) 683-2226 • Fwsi nile (907) 683-2253
August 21, 2008
Mr. Gordon Carlson, President
Native Village of Cantwell
PO Box 94
Cantwell, AK 99729
Re: Jack River Hydro Project
Thar Mr. Carlson,
This letter is written in support of the efforts by the Native Village of Cantwell to develop a
small hydroelectric project on the Jack River near Cantwell.
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, many of which could prove to be fatal flaws. From my
knowledge of the area, the Jack River appears to be a site that is technically feasible and
environmentally benign for a hydroelectric generating facility. You should be able to bring the
Project on line in a relatively short time.
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. To use a baseball analogy, the Railbelt electricity
supply game can more certainly be won with several singles like your Project, rather than
praying for the home run that may never come.
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
Sin*IVenn
te!(1
VP Business Development