Alaska Conservation Voters

Conservation Watch

Alaska Conservation Voters
works to protect Alaska's environment through public education and advocacy, and supports pro-conservation candidates for public office.

Conservation Watch (CW) is a weekly publication of ACV highlighting conservation issues in the AK Legislature.

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Contributing Editors

Sue Ely
Legislative & Communications Manager
sue@akvoice.org

David Rogers
ACV Lobbyist

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ACV- Juneau
419 6th Street, #321
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 463-3366
(907) 463-2554 fax

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ACV- Anchorage
810 N Street #203
Anchorage, AK 99801
(907) 258-6171
(907) 258-6177 fax

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Web Resources

ACV Legislation Page
Bill position papers, back issues of Conservation Watch, and legislative updates

Legislative BASIS
Current bill text, history & committee schedules

Legislature Homepage
Find Your Legislators, party links, committee lists

State Homepage
Links to state agencies and the Governor

 ACV Homepage

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In This Issue -

• Susitna Hydro Project
• Action Briefs
  • On the Move
  • Transportation News Flash
  • New in Town
  • Calendar - Week of 1-28-08

Susitna Hydro: Energy Solution of water under the bridge?

Like Rip Van Winkle waking up after many years asleep, the controversial Susitna project is back for consideration. Three new bills were introduced - HB335, HB336 and SB246 - reigniting a long dormant discussion -  “Can some form of a Susitna Hydroelectric Project work for Alaska?”  

Why Now?

Alaska, along with the rest of the country, is experiencing record-breaking energy costs that are forcing many regions to look again at hyrdro energy.  Another factor for looking at all the alternatives for cheaper energy is that high energy prices run the risk of slowing economic growth and crippling rural Alaska. 

Additionally in the Railbelt, many of the current energy generating facilities are approaching the end of their lifespan, requiring expensive upgrades or replacement that could cost between $1-2.5billion within the next 10 years. In comparison, hydroelectric facilities can last as much as 100 years or more with very little maintenance and low operating costs. 

Susitna Then

The idea of building a hydroelectric dam on the Susitna River has been around longer than the state of Alaska.  Original proposals called for two large dams to be built, one at Watana Canyon and one at Devil’s Canyon.  The last major debate over whether to build the project or not raged through the 1970s and 1980s until the Alaska Power Authority decided to withdraw a federal license application in 1983 after spending approximately $145 million in studies.  At the time, the project was ultimately shelved because the scale and magnitude of the project made it was very expensive compared to newly discovered Cook Inlet gas..

These weren’t the only issues. While hydroelectric projects do not emit toxic pollution or greenhouse gasses, they do pose environmental risks.  The proposal back then would have flooded hundreds of acres and posed severe risks to salmon runs.

Susitna Now

Despite these earlier concerns, a potential hydroelectric project on the Susitna River is back on the table. Supporters of reviving this concept say skyrocketing energy costs, new technology and the population boom in the Railbelt makes this the right time to take another look at a dam option on the Susitna that could guarantee stable cost energy for the area for generations.

In fact, the first hearing will be today at 1pm.  Legislators are asking for money to study the potential of a ‘scaled-down’ version of a Susitna hydro project, one that better fits our financial and environmental needs.  We look forward to learning more about the issue!

Since The Last Time We Met

The pace is brisk – some say it already feels like the end of the session. Even the finance subcommittees are already hard at work – unusual at this early stage of the game.  Action on conservation issues is also accelerating with a number of significant bills on the calendar or coming soon, including the Governor’s game management proposal, moving the Habitat Division back to F&G from DNR, net energy metering, invasive weeds, Susitna and mining tax/royalty reform.

And two prominent, long time legislators are calling it quits to spend more time with family and other pursuits – Senator Gary Wilken and Rep. Mary Nelson.  Hats off to both for their dedicated public service!

On The Move

HB41 Transfer Habitat Div From DNR To F&G - Rep. Gara (D-Anchorage) | Rep. Crawford ( D-Anchorage) | Rep. Kertulla (D-Juneau) | Rep. LeDoux (R-Kodiak) | Rep. Buch (D-Anchorage)
This bill would return certain habitat managements duties to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Introduced last session, the first hearing for HB41 will take place on Friday at 8:30am in the House Fisheries Committee.

HB149 Pollutant Discharge Permits - Introduced by request of the Governor

Already passed in the House, HB149 was introduced last session by request of Governor Palin to revise certain provisions of law governing the department's permitting and enforcement authority in order to align the state's permit requirements with the EPA's. The EPA is currently reviewing Alaska 's application to run the federal NPDES permitting program and the changes made by the bill are necessary to align state laws with federal law. HB 149 was heard and held on Friday by the Senate Judiciary Committee members asked a number of questions about the bill and its implications. No additional hearings have been scheduled but HB 149 is likely to be heard again.

HB176 Create Fort Rousseau Causeway Park – Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell)

This measure would create the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park to “promote, support, and preserve public use by maintaining and protecting the area’s fish and wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and scenic values.” HB176 passed out of the House last session with a vote of 38-0 and has already moved out of Senate Resources.  Next stop, Senate Finances and then the Senate Floor.

HB 288 Net Energy Metering - Rep. Seaton (R-Homer)

Representative Seaton introduced HB288, a bill that requires electric utilities to offer customers the option of installing a net-metering system, in order to provide incentives for energy customers to generate their own electricity using alternative energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar, tidal, and geothermal.  Net-metering allows consumers to get a credit on their bill for the energy they create through alternative energy. HB288 was referred to Labor & Commerce and Finance.  ACV supports this legislation with an amendment to address rural village utilities. Stop in or listen to the first hearing on this topic this Friday at 3pm in Capitol Rm 17.

 Transportation New Flash

The Gravina Access project in Ketchikan is still active. Mal Menzies, Southeast Alaska regional director for the Department of Transportation, says the state has abandoned a controversial alternative that would have crossed Pennock Island with two high bridge spans - but they are reviewing other alternatives, including bridge projects and improved ferry service.  Public hearings will be held to talk about the issue.

The Ocean Ranger program remains in flux largely due to the large price tag.  According to DEC, a full coverage program will cost $1 million more than the ranger tax would raise. Initiative sponsors seem to be willing to work with the state to find efficiencies that would reduce costs. The program management contract was recently awarded to Crowley Marine of Florida.

New In Town

HB 335 Approp: Susitna Hydroelectric Project – Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Harris (R-Valdez) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Kelly (R-Fairbanks)

HB335 makes an appropriation for $1,000,000.00 from the Railbelt energy fund to study the potential of a hydroelectric project on the Susitna River.

HB 336 Susitna Hydroelectric Project - Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage), Rep. Harris (R-Valdez) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks)| Rep. Kelly (R-Fairbanks)

HB336 directs the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to study the potential of a Susitna hydroelectric power project and prepare a proposal for an ‘appropriately sized Susitna hydroelectric project.”  The bill gives the AEA over a year to complete the study and was discussed in House Resources Committee today at 1:00pm.

HB338 Power Project Project Fund/Bulk Fuel Loan Fund – Rep.  Nelson (D-Bethel) | Rep. Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)

HB338 allows the Alaska Energy Authority to borrow money from the power project fund for the bulk fuel revolving fund.

SB246 Susitna Hydro Working Group; Report – Sen. Thomas (D-Fairbanks) | Sen. Therriault (R-North Pole) | Sen. Wilken (R-Fairbanks)

SB246 is more detailed than HB335 and HB336 but is essentially asking for the same thing, a report and recommendation on the potential of building a hydroelectric facility on the Susitna River to supply cheap, greenhouse gas free electricity to homes and businesses on the Railbelt.  The Senate bill goes in depth on the formation and composition of a committee to study the project and provides more guidelines for the information they should supply. 

HB 268 Damaging a Vehicle on Public Land by Starting a Fire or Causing an Explosion – Rep. Stoltze (R-Chugiak) | Rep. Lynn (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Gatto (R-Palmer) | Rep. Crawford (D-Anchorage)

The bill would make intentionally burning or exploding cars on state or municipal land a Class C felony - arson in the third degree.  It addresses a longstanding problem of concern to many users of public lands in Alaska

Calendar: Week of January 28, 2008