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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIIJA-BIL AEA 40101(d) Public Meeting #2 Summary - Sep 13, 2023 1 Alaska Energy Authority: IIJA Grid Transmission Resiliency Public Hearing #2 Date & Time: September 13, 2022, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ZOOM Info: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83870078724?pwd=QVBrVklxVVpkS3pFMEk5dXIvNCtOZz09 Meeting ID: 838 7007 8724 Passcode: 447936 Attendees: Conner Erickson Bryan Carey Daniel Miller Niek Veraart Karin McGillivray Jeff Baker Vanessa Shamberg Ed Jenkins Erica Wilson Crystal Enkvist Daisy Huang Daniel Jensen Jackie McConnell Alaska Energy Authority, Manager of Planning Alaska Energy Authority, Director of Owned Assets Alaska Energy Authority, Infrastructure Engineer Michael Baker International Michael Baker International Michael Baker International Michael Baker International Matanuska Electric Association Matanuska Electric Association Alaska Power Association University of Alaska, Fairbanks CIRI N/A: educational Public Hearing Summary INTRODUCTIONS – ALL IIJA 40101(d ) OVERVIEW – AEA Conner Erickson gave an overview of the BIL Section 40101(D) Grid Resilience Formula Grant process being administered by the Alaska Energy Authority. Q&A Question: It's not resilience to have both your own local diesel plant as well as connection to the local hub? Answer: We will need to look to DOE to clarify. In the strict reading of the eligible uses I would say the answer to your question would be that diesel back-ups would not necessarily be eligible for this funding. Although, that is something we will propose to DOE. Question: My question wasn’t about diesel back-up, it’s when there already diesel is, the transmission could be the back-up. Tok, for example, if you just connected Tok to Delta Junction wouldn’t that be increasing their resilience, because they would have both their diesel plant and their connection to the GVEA grid. 2 Answer: That will be something we will need to clarify with Department of Energy. I think inherently so, DOE would be looking to harden that line so the risk of that powerline going down would be mitigated. Question: When I look at objective number 2 related to the construction of transmission lines, I don’t see anything of construction/extension of transmission facilities. I don ’t see under eligible use of funds, but it seems to imply that is something allowed, just looking for clarification. Objective number 2 suggests the construction of transmission lines is an eligible project type. However, the eligible list of projects [as shown in the Power Point presentation] seems to exclude transmission line construction. Could you clarify? Answer: We’ll need to further clarify with DOE. It’s my understanding these funds are to be used for hardening of existing assets, so expenditures on those higher capac ity lines, such as fire proving, would be eligible. We will clarify. Other things to note: Batteries are not completely ineligible. If it provides back-up power while other assets are being repaired, then that would be an eligible use of a battery. But the project must have a resilience measure to be eligible. It can’t be purely battery, there needs to be a resilience measure.