HomeMy WebLinkAboutConnelly Lake Hydro Letters of Support (2)MUNICIPALI'IJ' O F SKAGWAY
GATEVVAY'TO TTIE GOLD RUSLI O}: "98"
POST OFFICE l]OX 415
SKAGVVAY, ALT\S KA 99S4tI
(907) 983-72e7 (PHONE)
(90?) 983-215i 0-'A,\)
I 3 .lune 2008
Steven I-i. Haagenson
Alaslia Energy A utlrori t.v
813 West Nor-tliem Lights Boulevald
Anchorage. Alaslca 9950-l
Subjcct: Munic:ipal supl)oi't of (lonnelly l.iii';r': I-lyclrol)o\\/cl Pr-oict't
Dear Mr. Haagenson,
The lVlunicipality of Slcagway suppor-ts Alasl<a Power'&'I'elepht.rrrc Conrpany's (r\l'&f) clesir.' to leusr'
or purchase land from the State o1'41aslca to develop a new hych-oelectt-ic gcneration pro.ject rrt
Connelly Lake.'l'his project is located in the Haines l3orough at a site founcl above Chill<oot l.,rl<c at
the lread of Lutal< Inlet.
As a Iicensed pLrblic Lltility in thc State o1'r\laska, AP&'l' provirics llower to the comnrunities in the
Upper Lynn Ca-nal thror-rgh an existing distlibution systum fed b-y hydr-oelcctlic ancl clir::sc) geirci'lrtiot.r
syslems. AP&'f has lead u successfirl effort in the lasl J3 years tr) r'ccluce tltc rcgiorr's titrpcndt'rtt on
diesel generated power. vvith sonrc 70% of power being ltroviderl to cltstonrcrs thloLrglr it-s
hydroel ectric lacil ities.
Development of the Connelly Lalce Hydropower Project rvould l'itt'ther reduce lJpper l.ynn (-;irnl's
dependence on fossil fuels forpowergeneration ancl ensure sr,r['{lcicnt enclg-y is availirirltr ii.rr'lrrtut'c
econonric growth within tlre regiou, AP&l is well lsrorvn in thc inclitstry lirr its innt,r'.rt.ir-tn irr
develcipmenl t-rl' small scule hydlopf)wer projt-cis.
Sincerely, .-,\
,-(tmau1!&L**
Thomas Cochr-an - Mayor'
Senatol Al berl I(ookesh
Representative lJill fhomas..tr.
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
Memo
To: Tom Bolen, Haines Borough Manager
From: Stephanie Scott, Energy & Sustainability Coordinator
Cc: Commissioners, Energy & Sustainability Commission
Date: January 21, 2009
Re : Recommendation to the Borough Assembly regarding the
Connelly Lake Hydro Electric Project proposal from Alaska
Power & Telephone (APT) before the Committee of the
Whole, January 21, 2009
The Energy & Sustainability Commission crafted the following recommendation
to the Assembly during its January 20, 2009 Commission meeting.
The Energy & Sustainability Commission recommends that the Assembly
support efforts by APT 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.
During debate following the making and seconding of the motion, “support” was
defined as “support for the grant and the uses of the grant.”
The motion carried 7 to 1. Commissioner Wackerman was absent, Commissioner
Holmes voted in the negative, and Commissioner Gonce accepted the Chairʼs
ruling that he had a conflict of interest and did not vote.
From: "Ady Milos" <a1milos@yahoo.com>
Date: January 29, 2009 3:23:10 PM AKST
To: <sscott@aptalaska.net>
Subject: Alaska Power & Telephone's Connelly Lake hydroelectric project
Dear Ms. Scott,
I am writing this to support Alaska Power & Telephone’s Connelly Lake hydroelectric
project.
AP&T has presented a plan they feel is feasible, environmentally sound, and will provide
Haines with more than three times the power it presently consumes during peak times in
winter. According to AP&T’s presentation to the Haines Energy Commission on
November 25th, 2008 the Connelly Lake site was chosen for its capacity, proximity to
Haines, and because it does not require an undersea cable – a link that, if broken, could
put Haines in the dark for several months. The project size is important so that AP&T can
sell excess power in other markets (i.e. Skagway, Canada, and cruise ships when docked,)
and therefore keep our power rates low.
You have already received some letters in opposition to this project. This vociferous
handful of opponents is ignoring a basic rule of economics – that every resource is
limited and has alternative uses. We can always wish for more wilderness, but by
developing this one low-impact hydroelectric project at Connelly Lake we can cut
hydrocarbon use in the Haines area by 30 to 50 percent. That’s less pollution in town, less
CO2 into the atmosphere, less oil burned, and therefore reduced chance of an oil spill as
less oil is transported in our marine environment. By constructing three miles of road, one
6300-foot penstock and a powerhouse we will realize an environmental net gain for the
Haines area.
And when Haines grows, or finds a new industry ( or port facility?) at its doorstep, the
existence of this ample source of power means cleaner, more energy-efficient growth.
The Chilkoot River Corridor is a beautiful and productive place, but not as untouched as
some folks would like to believe. Local loggers Don Turner and Duck Hess can both
testify that they helped log some large tracts of land at the upper end of the lake about 40
years ago, taking the logs out via a logging road along the north side of the lake – the
same roadbed that AP&T proposes repairing. That some folks are unaware of this is a
testament to the resiliency of the watershed.
During their presentation, AP&T explained how they met several environmental
challenges during construction of other projects in the Skagway area and on Prince of
Wales Island. It appears they are also ready to take every environmental precaution to
complete the Connelly Lake Project with a minimal impact. When completed it is likely
that none of the power project will be visible from the present DNR campground at the
lower end of Chilkoot Lake.
Therefore, I have no reservations about supporting AP&T as they work toward plentiful,
sustainable hydropower for Haines. And I’m convinced that after it is done, the Chilkoot
watershed will remain a beautiful and productive place.
Nearly everyone I speak with in Haines feels the same way.
Sincerely,
Stan & Ady Milos
Haines, Alaska.
From: "Marie DisBrow" <marie@wildernesswritings.com>
Date: January 31, 2009 12:03:05 PM AKST
To: <sscott@aptalaska.net>
Subject: re: Connelly Lake Project
Stephanie Scott, ESC Coordinator
Haines Borough
103 Third Avenue S.
P.O. Box1209
Haines, AK 99827
re: Connelly Lake Hydroelectric Project
Dear Ms Scott:
As a resident of Lutak, I am writing to encourage you to support Alaska Power &
Telephone’s Connelly Lake hydroelectric project.
AP&T’s environmentally sound plan will provide Haines with over three times the power
presently consumed during winter peak times. According to AP&T’s presentation to the
Haines Energy Commission on November 25th, 2008, the Connelly Lake site was chosen
for its capacity, proximity to Haines, and because it does not require an undersea cable.
Just yesterday, both Skagway and Haines lost power when heavy snow caused trees to
contact the transmission line along the Klondike Highway. In spite of the Haines diesel-
fired generator, we were without electricity for several hours. If it becomes necessary to
use the diesel power plant for a long period of time, the rate could go from $0.07 per
kilowatt hour to over $0.23 per kilowatt hour—over three times the cost of hydroelectric
power, because of the high cost of fuel.
The project size is important so that AP&T can sell excess power in other markets (i.e.
Skagway, Canada, and cruise ships when docked) and therefore keep our power rates
low. It appears that AP&T is ready to take every environmental precaution to complete
the Connelly Lake Project with a minimal impact.
Sincerely,
Marie E. DisBrow
From: "Dave DisBrow" <dave@davedisbrow.com>
Date: February 2, 2009 12:30:37 AM AKST
To: <sscott@aptalaska.net>
Subject: Connelly Lake Hydroelectric Project
Stephanie Scott, ESC Coordinator
Haines Borough
103 Third Avenue S.
P.O. Box1209
Haines, AK 99827
re: Connelly Lake Hydroelectric Project
Dear Ms Scott:
I feel it is time to step to the plate and support Alaska Power & Telephone’s Connelly Lake hydroelectric
project. Being a resident of Lutak and doing without electric and or phone service until last year, I don't see
why anyone would want to go back to the dark side of living. Our present hydro power from AP&T's
undersea (Umbilical) cable from Skagway has a limited lifetime and regression is not a viable nor logical
option.
We now have a potential future for Haines, may I mention our deep harbor possibilities? Without a quality
and quantity source of clean electricity for the docks we would stand to lose this resource.
Governor Palin has set a goal..."This guide will help us move to a future where, ideally, 50 percent of
Alaska's electricity is generated from renewable resources by 2025,". This is twice the goal President
Barack Obama has called for by 2025. Alaska can set the pace for renewal resources for our nation! ...and
Haines could be leading the way. Lets not show them how stubborn we can be on this issue.
Win Win
Dave DisBrow