Alaska is in an energy crisis. Fairbanks and much of the Railbelt is heavily dependent on expensive heating fuel and virtually 100 percent of rural Alaska is dependent on diesel.
In January 2011, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell took a major step to address this by introducing legislation for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, with a request of over $65 million and the authority to begin the permitting process, financial plan, and design and engineering. In April 2011, after many hearings and substantial public involvement, the Alaska Legislature overwhelmingly voted in favor of legislation necessary to move the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project forward.
Comments that there has been "no public input" in this process are simply not accurate. There has been public input and involvement throughout, and there will be continued and ample opportunity for Alaskans to participate as this important project moves into the formal Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) process.
Let's take a look at some background and facts about the project, and why it is important for our state.
The Susitna River basin and its hydroelectric potential have been extensively studied for decades. A great amount of valuable information was gathered in the 1980s, when a Susitna River hydro project involving more than one dam was under consideration. However, the abundance of inexpensive fuel and a short-term outlook caused the project to be shelved.
We all know what has happened since: The price of oil has increased over 800 percent from 1986 to 2011, and energy costs for all Alaskans has skyrocketed.
In 2010, the Legislature established the goal of having 50 percent of Alaska's power generation from renewable resources by 2025, a generational plan. This goal can be met by building the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.
The project would require building an approximately 700-foot-high dam on the river at the Watana site, far upstream of most known salmon spawning areas. The dam would create a 39-mile-long reservoir with a maximum width of two miles. Energy would be generated using the glacial waters of the upper Susitna River, and transmitted north to the Interior and south to Southcentral Alaska along new and existing transmission lines.
The Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project would have an installed capacity of approximately 600 megawatts, and would supply half of the Railbelt's current energy needs at a stable or declining rate for the project life of well more than 100 years.
Take a minute to think about that: half of the Railbelt's energy needs at a stable or declining rate for more than 100 years. In other words, this project would provide stable, reliable power for generations. That means energy for your homes and increased jobs and economic opportunity for your children, grandchildren, and great, grandchildren.
We're still very early in the regulatory process. Engineering studies continue to refine the project concept, and new environmental study needs are just beginning to be defined. We do know that if this dam is built on the upper Susitna River, the annual amount of water flow will be the same, and salmon will be able to travel to their spawning grounds. We also know that the final cost is by no means determined because design, height and the preferred construction method are still being analyzed. In fact, with modern construction techniques available, the cost may come in lower than previously estimated.
This project creates more energy for the Railbelt and key to a strategy to address energy for all Alaskans, including Rural Alaska. AEA will be working with the governor and Alaska Legislature to continue current efforts in Rural Alaska and develop bold action for the future.
The Alaska Energy Authority is committed to an open, public process as the Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project moves into the next phases. AEA is working within prescribed FERC procedures and with all resource agencies every step of the way. I encourage Alaskans to be involved. More information on the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project can be found here.
Hugh Short is chairman of the AEA board of directors and Alaska Growth Capital president and CEO.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch. Alaska Dispatch welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.