Wind Power News: Alaska
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
State OKs Eva Creek wind farm near Healy
FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has given preliminary approval to a large-scale wind farm near Healy, despite the objections of a competitor in the wind-power business. The DNR preliminary approval is the latest step forward for the Eva Creek project, a 24.6-megawatt turbine farm envisioned by Golden Valley Electric Association near Healy. The GVEA board of directors unanimously voted in favor of Eva Creek in June, advancing a 16-turbine project that will become the largest wind farm . . .
Regulators weigh Fire Island wind generation project
Alaska utility regulators are weighing a proposed contract between the state’s largest electric power company and a wind farm developer. The developer says a prompt decision is vital to allow construction to begin in time to qualify for key federal grants. The wind farm is planned for Fire Island, in Cook Inlet near Anchorage’s international airport. The developer is Fire Island Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Cook Inlet Region Inc., the Southcentral Alaska Native corporation. The power buyer is Anchorage-based . . .
GVEA approves Alaska’s largest wind project for Healy area
FAIRBANKS — After years of study, debate and anticipation, Golden Valley Electric Association is officially in the wind power business. The GVEA board voted unanimously Monday to approve the $90 million Eva Creek project, a 24.6 megawatt turbine farm planned near Healy. With an planned launch date of September 2012, the utility-owned project will be the biggest wind-power source in Alaska. “I have no question we’re doing the right thing,” said board chairman Bill Nordmark. “This is going to be . . .
Fire Island wind power project moves closer to reality
A deal that would allow Cook Inlet Region Inc. to build an electricity-generating wind turbine farm on Fire Island is in the final stages. The board of Chugach Electric Association, the biggest power utility in Alaska, is scheduled to consider today a proposed contract to buy wind power from CIRI. “I don’t see any problem,” Chugach board member Jim Nordlund said Tuesday. The board last week unanimously agreed to terms that make up the deal, he said. The agreement calls . . .
Wind farm struggles to sign up energy utilities
With Cook Inlet natural gas fields declining, you might think local utilities would embrace a plan to use renewable energy like a proposed wind turbine farm on Fire Island to supplement the gas — a project that could deliver power in two years. But they’re not. In months of trying, backers of the Fire Island wind farm haven’t been able to sign up any utilities as customers. Jim Posey, head of city-owned Municipal Light and Power, says ML&P can get . . .
Assembly eyes involvement in wind power
The Anchorage Assembly will consider an ordinance to let its members get directly involved in negotiations to buy wind power to supplement Anchorage’s energy supply. But if Assembly members pass it, carrying out the law would intrude upon the mayor’s executive power, city attorney Dennis Wheeler says. The Assembly’s own attorney, Julia Tucker, disagrees. The proposal is prompted by some Assembly members who are impatient with the city’s progress in negotiating with Cook Inlet Region Inc., the local regional Native . . .
City utility’s offer for wind power criticized as too low
Anchorage’s city power utility made a long-awaited offer this week to buy wind power from Cook Inlet Region Inc., backers of a proposed wind turbine project on Fire Island. But CIRI senior vice president Ethan Schutt said the offer is so low it’s ridiculous and contains unworkable terms. Municipal Light and Power director Jim Posey held a press conference Thursday to explain the utility’s offer, which he said protects ML&P customers from higher costs. CIRI wants to begin construction of . . .
Legislature to consider codifying net metering regulations
Among the energy considerations in front of the Alaska State Legislature this week is a bill to codify net metering regulations instituted last summer. Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, proposed the bill to formalize rules adopted by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska last year. “This would formalize it and make it harder to change,” Olson said. Net metering enables Alaskans to connect their own energy systems to a grid and get credited or paid for the energy they produce. Last year, . . .
Delta Wind Farm owner to file complaint against GVEA
FAIRBANKS — The owner of Delta Wind Farm plans to file a formal objection to Golden Valley Electric Association’s decision to push forward with its own wind-power generation project near Healy. The GVEA Board unanimously voted Monday to endorse the Eva Creek project, a 24.6 megawatt turbine farm developed by the utility. In the process, it passed over two private proposals — Delta Wind Farm and a turbine farm by the CIRI Alaska Native corporation near Anchorage. Delta Wind Farm . . .
Delta Wind Farm owner to file complaint against GVEA
FAIRBANKS — The owner of Delta Wind Farm plans to file a formal objection to Golden Valley Electric Association’s decision to push forward with its own wind-power generation project near Healy. The GVEA Board unanimously voted Monday to endorse the Eva Creek project, a 24.6 megawatt turbine farm developed by the utility. In the process, it passed over two private proposals — Delta Wind Farm and a turbine farm by the CIRI Alaska Native corporation near Anchorage. Delta Wind Farm . . .
