Some folks have suggested that the government identify "stupid zones" in which certain projects should not be built.
Juneau, Alaska, just lost their hydro-power again this year due to an avalanche. Last spring they lost it due to an avalanche. It took weeks and millions of $$$ to repair. Who knows how long and how much money it will cost this time?? The rate payers suffer when poor decisions are made by industrial utilities for locating their projects.
Now Alaska Power and Telephone (AP&T) wants to build a hydro-project up Chilkoot. The upper Chilkoot, besides being a significant spawning area for wild salmon, has a known history of avalanches.
AP&T is making a presentation to the Haines Borough Assembly tonight. A resolution is on the agenda to support design and construction of this project--strongly opposed by many. AP&T has been granted a full hour of the Assembly's time prior to the meeting. Citizen input is rarely given thoughtful consideration by local Alaska public officials. Deals and discussions behind the scenes have been made.
Will money continue to flow uphill to projects located in stupid zones?
Please refer to previous diary entry for Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) contact information if anyone wishes to comment. They meet in two days, January 15th.
Last November AP&T applied to the Alaska Energy Authority for $988,000 for design of the project in upper Chilkoot. AEA has millions to spend.
Suggest prioritizing this money for conservation measures and smart building construction as well as for studies into renewable energy projects consistent with their purported mission of "sustainability and being environmentally sound".