HomeMy WebLinkAboutBorough-resolution HAINES BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 09-01-149
A resolution of the Haines Borough Assembly recognizing the
need for a new, cost-effective, environmentally appropriate,
reliable, and renewable source of electric power for
citizens of the Haines Borough, and supporting the efforts
of Alaska Power & Telephone, Inc. (AP&T) to develop a
project to address this need.
WHEREAS, the Haines Borough is committed to replacing fossil
fuel-based energy production wherever and whenever possible with
energy produced reliably, efficiently and at a reasonable cost
from renewable sources, and
WHEREAS, at a January 20, 2009 meeting, the Haines Borough
Energy Sustainability Commission recommended that the Assembly
support efforts by AP&T to secure funding to do additional design
and data gathering for hydro electric sources including but not
limited to Connelly Lake and Schubee Lake to help inform the
public process prior to permitting, and
WHEREAS, electricity has the potential to replace petroleum
products as the energy resource used for home heating and
transportation, and
WHEREAS, current hydro-electric power production infrastructure
is inadequate to provide for present demand for power, and
therefore cannot meet potential increased demand for low cost
electric power to support new or expanded uses such as heat,
transportation, and industrial/commercial growth, and
WHEREAS, the demand for electric power in the Upper Lynn Canal
has periodically exhausted the installed capacity of the existing
hydroelectric generating system during the fall, winter, and
spring months, forcing the utility to generate power with diesel
generation equipment, resulting in higher rates for customers,
and
WHEREAS, AP&T proposes to investigate, permit, design, and
construct a hydroelectric facility in the most viable and
appropriate site in Upper Lynn Canal area, to address the energy
needs of the area, and
WHEREAS, the Haines Borough Assembly acknowledges there are risks
to any ecosystem in the vicinity of planned projects for
developing new energy resources, and
WHEREAS, AP&T has a long history of constructing hydroelectric
plants in Southeast Alaska while simultaneously providing for the
protection of the ecosystem within which the hydroelectric plant
is located;
Adopted
Resolution 09-01-149
Page Two
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Haines Borough Assembly
recognizes the need for increased electric power generation from
a renewable resource in the Upper Lynn Canal, and it endorses the
concept of creating new hydro-electric capacity in the region;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Haines Borough Assembly
supports the investigation, study, conceptual design, and initial
permitting of any potential projects by AP&T or others which can
be shown to provide reliable, cost effective, renewable energy in
a manner which does not adversely impact local rate payers, the
local economy, the watershed ecosystems, or the traditional uses
of the area;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Haines Borough Assembly has an
interest in participating as a partner in any power generation
project that would promote and ensure the lowest possible rates
for its citizens, provide for the greatest reliability and future
growth, and create potential for the Borough to realize revenue
from the sale of excess power to commercial users.
ADOPTED BY A DULY CONSTITUTED QUORUM OF THE BOROUGH ASSEMBLY OF
THE HAINES BOROUGH, ALASKA, THIS 27th DAY OF JANUARY, 2009.
____________________________
Jerry LAPP, Deputy Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Julie Cozzi, Borough Clerk