HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetters of SupportTed Stevens
Alaska
Mr. Steve Haagenson
Executive Director
Alaska Energy Authority
813 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Dear Steve:
Washington. DC 20510
(202)2-14-3004
Fax (202) 224-2354
August 26, 2008
committees:
Vice Chairman
Commerce. Science. and Transportation
appropriations
Governmental Affairs
Rules and Administration
Library of Congress
Alaska is blessed with both traditional fossil fuels and significant renewable and
alternative energy resources. On the federal level, Congress has passed legislation
designed to stimulate investment in renewable and alternative energy through the Denali
Commission and the Department of Energy. The state legislature recently followed with
its Renewable Energy Fund. Together, these federal and state programs have the ability
to bring much needed energy investment to Alaska and help our state lead the way to a
renewable and alternative energy future.
I recently had the opportunity to visit a promising coal bed methane site in the
Matanuska Valley. The Kircher unit, being developed by Fowler Oil and Gas, has the
potential to provide much needed natural gas supplies to the region using the best
available technology to limit possible impacts.
Given current high energy prices, alternative energy projects such as this one
present a unique opportunity to expand Alaska's energy resource base and provide much
needed resources to our local communities. I believe this coal bed methane project is
worthy of the Alaska Energy Authority's consideration.
With best wishes,
cc: Ted Leonard, Executive Director, Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority
Aochorge Bethel Fairbanks Girdwood Juneau Kenai Ketchikan
(907)271-5915 (907)543-1638 (907)456-0261 (907)783-3301 (907)596-7400 (007)283-5908 (907)225-68M
WN illa
(907)376-7665
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH
Borough Manager
350 East Dahlia Avenue • Palmer, AK 99645
Phone (907) 745-9688 • Fax (907) 745-9669
jduffy@matsugov.us
October 1, 2008
Mr. Richard Shyken, President
Alaska Green Energy
1150 S. Colony, Suite 333
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Dear Mr. Stryken:
I appreciated meeting with Murph O'Brien and yourself concerning Alaska Green Energy's
(AGE) project proposals. The proposed Arctic Ready CHP/CBM Prototype and Assessment
Project have significant potential to reduce energy costs in rural Alaska. I am especially excited
with your decision to develop this prototype Combine Heat and Power project in the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough. Using Coal Bed Methane gas from Fowler Oil and Gas' Kircher Well near
Trunk Road and Bogard Road to operate a CHP Facility that will serve the Colony Middle and
High School Complex will be an excellent demonstration of this technology.
Additionally, if proven, this technology will have potential application to several of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough's rural schools and public facilities where energy and fuel costs are
high. Proving its applicability in remote, rural Alaskan communities that have CBM resources
has the potential of making these communities more energy independent. The educational value
of dris project to our students is an important supplementary benefit.
The Matanuska Susima. Borough supports AGE's efforts to secure funding for this innovative
project. The borough, as property owner, will enter into a land agreement with AGE for the
construction and operation of the demonstration project on the Colony Middle/High School
Complex property. We will also work with you to ensure that all appropriate borough permits
are identified so that AGE may apply and obtain the required approvals. Please coordinate this
project with I{eith Rountree, Director of Public Works and Linda Brenner, Community
Development Director.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely
cam"
John Duffy
Borough Manager
Cc Linda Brenner, Community Development Director
Mark Mayo, Director of Planning and Land Use
Keitb Rountree, Public Works Director
George Troxel, Superintendent, Matanuska School District
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT
501 NORTH GULKANA STREET
PALMER, ALASKA 99645
Phone: 907-746-9212• Fax:907-746-9292
September 12, 2008
Richard Stryken, Executive Director
Alaska Green Energy
1150 S. Colony Way
Suite 333
Palmer. AK 99654
Re: Renewable Alternate Energy Source for Colony Middle and High Schools
Dear Richard,
The potential for the use of renewable alternative energy for the Colony schools
you discussed today with district administrators and me is an intriguing idea. As
you noted in our conversation the concept would reduce energy use at the
schools and reduce the carbon footprint of our current operation. Both of these
results would be positive from my point of view. You mentioned that you are
planning to respond to an Alaska Energy Authority RFP offering grants for cost
effective alternative energy projects.
As I mentioned this morning, the School District cannot commit (at this point) to
purchasing energy from your system until a comprehensive economic analysis
showing the savings is completed. In that vein, I do support you applying for a
grant from AEA that would support this venture. Providing the receipt of the
grant, the fruition of the project, and support of the School Board we could
pursue contractual obligations or agreements to realize the energy benefits of
this project. Your presentation has been placed on the October 1, 2008, School
Board meeting agenda. The meeting begins at 6:00 PM on the second floor of
the Palmer High School library.
Sincerely,
George Troxel
Superintendent
`...developing eitizensfor a global ,socieq, by inspiring students to think, lean, achieve, and care. 11