Sealaska and the Inside Passage Electrical Cooper
tive are attempting studies in geothermal power in Tenakee Inlet, but others in Tenakee are not pleased at this prospect.
IPEC Chief Executive Officer and Sealaska board member Jodi Mitchell explained the project is to reduce Hoonah’s dependence on fossil fuels, stating that rates are up to six times the national average, with the average cost per kilowatt-hour at around 55 cents.
“IPEC’s rates necessarily follow the cost of fuel through the fuel surcharge, and most recently those rates have been on the increase along with fuel costs. The volatility in fuel price has made it next to impossible for businesses to operate, since they cannot know with any certainty what they will be paying for electricity. In fact, most recently there have been business shutdowns in Hoonah, especially restaurants, since electricity is one of their largest overhead costs,” she states in an email.
Sealaska Vice President Rick Harris said the Hoonah area can pay even more, sometimes 61-68 cents per kwh. He said comparatively, Juneau pays 9 cents per kwh.
“This community has no real hydro potential and this might potentially be their long-term energy supply,” he said, adding, “The goal for all of us is to get everybody off diesel.”
He said the grant application is for reconnaissance studies only, as a provision in the Sealaska Lands Bill prohibits developing the site for 10 years but does allow for investigating it.
The potential geothermal site at Pegmatite Mountain, known as SE-3, is about 18 miles from Hoonah and 30 or more miles from Tenakee Springs. Mitchell said the area is estimated to have a 243 degrees Fahrenheit subsurface with recorded temperatures of 176 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface, making it one of if not the hottest known geothermal sites in the state.
IPEC has recently applied for an Alaska Renewable Energy Fund grant for the project. Sealaska’s role is to aid IPEC in the grant application in order to tap funds that IPEC is not eligible for. Sealaska legislation also allows it to select the land.
“I think that by us in a position of owning the property, it speeds the ability for permitting and getting testing done and bringing this forward quicker,” said Harris.
This is where the ideas collide, as the City of Tenakee Springs doesn’t want Sealaska to have the site.
“We oppose the selection and development in that Pegmatite Mountain area because it’s impractical for Tenakee and we’re already attempting to get our own hydro,” said Councilwoman Joan McBeen. “And it’s in a very sensitive environmental area and right in the middle of a roadless area and has a lot of wildlife.”
Environmental concerns play a large part in Tenakee Springs’ opposition. McBeen said there is worry of disruption to the watershed and wildlife as well as increased road construction and boat traffic.
McBeen also said the Council was not consulted on the proposed project before the grant application.
Sealaska and IPEC state the purpose is not to damage the land but to keep conservation in mind while aiding renewable energy needs. As to the potential impact for the roadless or conservation issues, Mitchell wrote: “This is a question we all must answer: What is better — do we continue to burn diesel for electric generation, or do we tap other known viable renewable sources for power? The project at current loads would displace about 349,000 gallons of diesel consumption per year for Hoonah alone.”
Tenakee Springs’ issue is not with just Sealaska owning the land, but with anyone owning it. The city feels it should stay public. “We don’t feel anyone should get it,” said Mayor Don Pegues.
“As a private landowner, we’re in a position to develop the site more efficiently and more effectively than can occur on the National Forest,” Harris said.
The city also objects that the proposed project would aid Hoonah but not Tenakee Springs due to the distance and absence of transmission lines to the site.
Harris defends the site, saying, “The simplest description is the project site is the same: everyone recognizes it as a source of geothermal energy.”
He said the geothermal project is designed to benefit Hoonah and it’s too expensive to connect Tenakee Springs to the grid. He said private ownership of the potential site does not hinder other energy project potential in the region and that any grants or permits Tenakee Springs obtains for other energy projects would still be valid.
“It is my hope that we can all come together on this project for the better of our communities. There is a huge disparity in power costs between the larger communities in Southeast Alaska, and the smaller rural, primarily Native, communities. There are definite “haves” and “have nots” in our region, and I’d personally like to see more equality in costs of living. It’s a big part of my job to help my people,” Mitchell wrote.
Tenakee Springs recently passed a resolution opposing the conveyance of the Pegmatite Mountain site to Sealaska. Harris said Sealaska is a strong advocate for renewable energy, which is a reason for the push for geothermal testing. He said the company has developed two hydro sites on Prince of Wales Island and another is under construction.
• Contact reporter Jonathan Grass at 523-2276 or jonathan.grass@juneauempire.com.
Comments (23)
Add commentI certainly hope the "
I certainly hope the " progressive" voices in Hoonah prevail, & they get this geothermal site up, & ruining as soon as possible.
Tenakee can work on that "personal methane reclamation, or hydro power,what ever floats their narrow minded boats.
The prices Hoonah is paying
The prices Hoonah is paying is ridiculous if not criminal.
One of my main concerns is the long term.
Look at Juneau and AELP, It is a disaster and getting worse.
AELP is considered the enemy in Juneau, not an asset.
I would hate smaller places to get bullied around like Juneau does.
If there is redistricting, some smaller communities may lose their voice and have places like Juneau doing the talking for them. Basically making the communities like Juneau, very bad, very corrupt.
NIMBY
NIMBY
I agree with amariner.....
I don't want my tax dollars subsidizing state worker retirees, charter scabs, reprobates, and WA snow birds, either. But, what about the rest of us? We don't ALL fall under those colorful descriptors. Now, I'm completely opposed to the methane ideas. However, I have suggested in the past that we convert to hamsters on wheels. If we get new residents, we might have to upgrade to guinea pigs.
I'm not taking responsibility for running off the native population and the fishermen with my bad attitude. AHA! I'm married to a fisherman and he's still here, so :P We did have a higher native population when I first moved here in 1990. I swear I didn't run them off. Most, in the past 20 years, have died of NATURAL causes or have become too frail in health to continue to live or spend independent time here. This is also true of the older non-native population of 20 years ago. The baseline population demographics have completely changed since then. No one shows up to council meetings anymore unless they work for the city. The majority of our council members don't even live here. 3 out of 7 council members can honestly claim Tenakee residency. Most "residents" here had never heard of Pegmatite until this proposed project hit the news. We are too busy trying to make our own ends meet. And keep our school open. Anyone interested in moving here and putting their kids in school for a glorious one-on-one education like no other? You don't have to schmooz with the state worker retirees, charter scabs, reprobates, and WA snow birds. They are easy to avoid because they are easy to spot.....they smell funny.
Quite a conundrum...
The project opponents in Tenakee and abroad have quite a conundrum on their hands… Which side of the coin will these NIMBY, eco-freaks choose? If they try to stop the project for selfish “local impact” reasons (NIMBY), they show their long used project killing strategy as the sham it is; to use the “protecting the environment” movement to stop all development around them. But if they do stop the development of this geothermal resource, they are directly responsible for the continued burning of 349,000 gallons of diesel a year!! What would Gaia have to say about that!? Guess what guys, either you burn diesel or you find another power source like Geothermal. You want to keep everyone living in the “good old days” of reading by candle light, but most people will never willingly go back to that. Soon you won’t have so much power in the permitting process.
Geothermal energy for Hoonah
Why does Sealaska have to own Pegmatite in order to develop the project for Hoonah ? I'm opposed to that ownership primarily because of Sealaska's past leadership lining their own pockets, selling their timber for NOLs and lack or foresight.
I'm all for the State of Alaska acquiring ownership and developing the project for both Hoonah and Tenakee, especially after redistricting take effect.
reading by candlelight.....
Not so much, but we do like to blog by candlelight on occasion, just like Laura Ingalls use to do. I don't know what Gaia would say about burning all that diesel, but I suppose she wouldn't want her first born Cyclops son reading by candlelight, either. Too much eye strain.
Ooh boy...the rest of the story
IPEC has the highest electrical rates in Southeast Alaska due to a consistent and continued failure after failure to plan a decade ago to get off diesel with low cost hydro and transmission lines. However, IPEC's high rates are equally due to bloated and redundant administrative overhead that is over .25 a kilowatt hour. Nothing like sticking it to those who have the least ability to pay while taking board and management retreats on expense paid trips to casinos at the ratepayer expense.
The high rate of electricity in Hoonah, Angoon and Kake is due to IPEC mismanagement and Board of Directors ineffectiveness when they should have been supporting low cost hydro and transmission lines.
IPEC pulled a fast one over the Denali Commission and AELP to build the Hoonah Intertie, but IPEC never intended to finish the job after pocketing the money. Now IPEC is managing the Kake to Petersburg line and we should expect different results?
Ms. Mitchell sits on the State of Alaska renewable energy grant committee as a Sealaska representative. How many AEA grants has IPEC directed to themselves since she has sat on this board? How do the AEA board of directors feel about these incestuous relationships? Do the rest of Sealaska board of directors know that IPEC is harming Sealaska's credibility and ethics with their IPEC village shareholders? Governor Parnell has removed others from boards for less ethical violations.
If you do not like State monies being invested in projects when the grantee, IPEC cannot even match the funds nor controls the land in which the project will occur, let alone reduce ratepayer rates...then the IPEC ratepayers, the Tenakee City Council and Tenakee residents should take a boat trip and show up to the IPEC's annual meeting being held in Angoon on May 21st at 11:00 AM, and ask the questions. Maybe it is time to consider recalling the IPEC board to make it independent of non-ratepayer influence. IPEC should concentrate on lowering rates, not dreaming and scheming for others.
Sealaska? That's still
Sealaska? That's still around?
Another SeaAlaska Land Grab deal.... AGAIN.....
First off, why in the world did HOONAH, drop the Greens Creek to Hoonah Electrical InterTie, last year, and buy NEW Diesel Generators for their PowerHouse? Second off, why can't the Forest Service grant, whomever, a Special Use Permit for any Geothermal Project at this site, and leave it in Public Hands? Third off, Why is this area just NOW, becoming an ISSUE, just when SeaAlaska is reneging on the Federal Statute, that it SIGNed off On, way back when, in its Land Acquisition deal? Looks to this fellows mind, that SeaAlaska is just horning in all over the place, on things they have NO LEGAL Rights to......
INBP geothermal heat
Great idea. Geothermal heat into hydrogen power has many possibilities other than producing energy, but also heated sidewalks, outdoor heated pools, saunas, and hot tubes (algae free), not to mention the geothermal hot water can heat homes itself. Keep it public and out of the hands of Sealaska Corporation. Hoonah Indian Association this would be an opportunity for you guys to get out from under the corporate claw. Geothermal is green energy!
IN MY BACKYARD, PLEASE (INBP)
Tenakee geothermal
First off, those of you complaining about your tax dollars subsidizing Tenakee or any other place are ignorant fools. When was the last time you paid State of Alaska income tax? Like never I'll bet. I have lived up here long enough to remember pay state income taxes, have any of you? And run off all the natives' and fishermen, I don't think so, never were very many natives in Tenakee, and there are at least 6 or 7 CFEC permit holders actively fishing out of here, or at least mooring their boats and living in homes here! And as for the high price of electricity in Hoonah, Tenakee has not seen 55 cent a kwh for damn near as long as I've been living here, try 66 cents, and only the first 500khw is equalized by the states power cost equalization program to help offset the high cost out here, Hoonah also gets this, but only for primary residence's, business's do not get pce.
Tenakee geothermal
A bit more of a rant to all you Tenakee hater's out there, please do us all a favor and don't come to visit our little corner of paradise. We don't want to see you any where around here. You don't like us, don't come visit!
Oh, Dan! You're my HERO!!
You tell 'em! I'm having a hard time reading everything you wrote, I'm trying to read by candle light, as is mandated here in TKE. Well, off to clean my outhouse and to pay my overly-subsidized electric bill!
Don’t worry, nobody wants to
Don’t worry, nobody wants to go to Tenakee anyway. This is not about trying to be environmentally friendly as they claim. It is the classic case of “not in my back yard.” If they were so concerned about the environment, they would take into consideration the 349,000 gallon of diesel that would be replaced through this project. But just because it isn’t in their community, they could care less. They are being selfish and greedy. To say, “We don’t want anyone to own it” is very narrow minded and truly shows their unwillingness to cooperate for the betterment of others. So you would rather this valuable resource be left untouched? Sealaska is going to get the land anyway, so I don’t know why it matters what Tenakee wants. The land is closer to Hoonah than Tenakee so it seems Hoonah’s opinion should matter more here.
tenakee
One weekend,I spent a month in tenakee.
@southeast
Everyone wants to come to Tenakee! And, they do! I bet you've been here before. I bet you liked it, too:)
Stop wasting our time!
According to IPEC's / Sealaska's grant application the site is located approximately 10 miles from Pelican, 20 miles from Hoonah, and 30 miles from Tenakee Springs. 60 miles of transmission line that shows up on no known plan should take about 100 years to get approved. Sounds like a smart business move if you really don't want to solve the problem but would rather buy diesel.
The application also states that the development of this geothermal resource may also help spur the building of a planned road between Hoonah and Pelican. -- Really? What road?
All in all this is even more grandiose than running power from Snettisham through an avalanche zone to North Douglas then to Admiralty and once there the planning to build the longest submarine cable in Southeast --- some twenty or so miles to Hoonah.
Yes I have been there and it
Yes I have been there and it was just an inconvenient stop on the ferry. If everyone was dying to go there, they wouldn't have to advertise in the newspaper for people to come and live there. But back to the topic... MadDog, this grant application is to do research, not begin development. They can't develop the land for at least 10 years. But considering the fact that nobody else is making an effort to address the energy issue in the area, I don't see the development as such a bad idea. It brings more positives than negatives.
Geothermal
Well southeast, if it's inconvenient for you to stop in Tenakee, don't take the ferry. It's inconvenient for us to have to stop in Hoonah twice in the same day during the summer schedule too. As for addressing the energy issues in the area, Tenakee is moving forward with a hydro project that will not require any more road building, and minimal impact on the environment. I never could figure out why Hoonah wants a road to Pelican so badly. As far as I have heard, Pelican doesn't want a road to Hoonah.
Geothermal
Oops I made a mistake, we don't have to stop in Hoonah twice in the same day, but the ferry does, which makes it a very long day of travel to get from Tenakee or Angoon to Juneau in the summer. Ferry will not arrive in Auke bay until 1030 or 11 pm on the summer schedule.
Geothermal
One more for you southeast, if no one wants to come to Tenakee, how come there are so many summer/vacation homes here? Tenakee has the highest per capita vacancy rate (summer homes) of any town in America, and for those of us who actually like living here, it makes is very difficult to find a home to buy that is reasonably priced, no one wants to sell because it costs nothing to keep the property here, no property tax. Knowing that now, you'll probably be down to the real estate office looking for property out here!
There are so many summer
There are so many summer homes because nobody wants to permanently live there. I have nothing against Tenakee as a community by the way. But when you make comments like, “Don't come to visit our little corner of paradise. We don't want to see you any where around here,“ then you can’t expect a positive response. And yes, Tenakee is a beautiful place…as is the rest of the entire southeast Alaska, so don’t get carried away.