HomeMy WebLinkAboutIIJA-BIL AEA 40101(d) Public Meeting #2 Summary - Sep 13, 2023
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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.
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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.