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Link: KUAC via Alaska Public Radio Network The promise of alternative energy in Alaska was the highlight of a U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee field hearing at Chena Hot Springs on Saturday hosted by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the committee's ranking Republican. State and city officials told the committee of ambitious plans for conversion to renewable energy sources. What's being called the world's first portable geothermal generator was unveiled; it was developed at Chena Hot Springs and modeled after a larger unit that supplies power to the resort near Fairbanks. Such units could be flown or trailered to communities anywhere in the world that are near hot springs, officials said. KTUU reports on Chena's annual Renewable Energy Fair that was concurrent with the committee hearing and attracted hundreds of visitors. "I think a lot of people are just kind of stuck in their ways, and I think this helps people to see outside the box," Nenana energy rater Josh Verhagen said.