Juneau Energy Emergency Update

Snettisham Repairs Ahead of Schedule

It’s rare for major construction or repair projects to finish on schedule, let alone early, but it looks like good news is on the horizon for Juneau. After more than a month of dark skies and bad news about electric rates, the sun came out in Juneau Memorial Day weekend and brought with it some encouraging news about the downed Snettisham transmission lines.

AEL&P officials have announced that their repairs are as much as a month ahead of schedule, and Juneau could be back on hydro power by as soon as June 8. This is great news for Juneauites, who have faced electric rates as much as five times higher than normal. Though the people of Juneau have responded admirably, reducing average usage by more than 30 percent, this news should come as a welcome relief. You can read the Juneau Empire article for more details at http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/052508/loc_282785602.shtml.

Juneau Delegation Requests AG’s Advice on Disaster Declaration

On May 20, the Juneau delegation sent a letter to Gov. Sarah Palin asking her to release critical documents relating to the administration’s refusal to issue a disaster declaration for Juneau. Sen. Kim Elton and Reps. Beth Kerttula and Andrea Doll have urged a disaster declaration since the avalanches ripped down several of Snettisham’s transmission lines.

Following the recommendation of the disaster policy cabinet, the governor did not declare a disaster. Despite several requests, the administration has yet to share the cabinet’s recommendation, although we did manage to get a copy second hand. Our May 20 letter asks the Governor to release the legal advice the Attorney General’s office provided to the cabinet and the Governor.

Alaska Energy Authority Town Hall Meetings Tonight

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) will be holding town hall meetings throughout Alaska to discuss how to move forward in reducing the cost of energy by using locally available energy resources. The community meetings will address two questions: First, what resources are out there to develop; and second, which resources each community would prefer to develop.

The meeting for Juneau is scheduled tonight, May 27th, from 5-9 p.m. in the Centennial Hall Ballroom 1. For more information, you can read the press release from AEA here.

Brown Bag Electric Bill Q&A Session Tomorrow

United Way of Southeast Alaska, Catholic Community Services, and the City and Borough of Juneau are hosting a brown bag electric bill question and answer session tomorrow, May 28th at 12:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Center Hall on 5th Street.

The meeting will start with two short presentations. AEL&P will give a brief update on the progress of the repairs and the services they have developed to assist citizens pay their electric bills. Catholic Community Services and United Way of Southeast Alaska will provide information on the Juneau Unplugged Assistance Program funded by the city.

Following the two short presentations, the public will be able to ask questions and receive answers from all of the organizations. Applications and information on programs and services to households will also be available. For more information, read the press release here.

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