North Coast Mountain Energy - Northwest BC\Southeast AK\Yukon

Senator Murkowski introduces bills to boost hydropower generation

2010-07-15T23:40:00.001-08:00

Senator Murkowski introduces bills to boost hydropower generation
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. 7/14/10 (PennWell) --

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at increasing the production of electricity from renewable hydropower and creating jobs in America’s energy sector. The "Hydropower Improvement Act" and the "Hydropower Renewable Energy Development Act" would boost federal support for hydropower projects.

The Hydropower Improvement Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash; Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash; and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, aims to increase the capacity of our nation’s hydropower sources to generate clean, renewable electricity by up to 75,000 megawatts.

Click above link for full story

Senator Murkowski introduces bills to boost hydropower generation

2010-07-15T23:39:00.000-08:00

Senator Murkowski introduces bills to boost hydropower generation

The Alaska Journal of Commerce - Parnell zapped for energy fund cuts 06/18/10

2010-06-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Journal of Commerce - Parnell zapped for energy fund cuts 06/18/10

Gov. Sean Parnell is taking flak for his June 3 vetoes of state funds for energy projects.

"The governor has talked a lot about how we have to be fiscally conservative, but these are projects that will make our communities more self-reliant and less dependent on diesel, and state Power Cost Equalization funds, in five to 10 years," when petroleum revenues will be sharply lower, said Bob Venables, energy director for the Southeast Conference, the economic development association for Southeast Alaska.

Click on above link to read the full story in the Alaska Journal of Commerce

Northern Cross touts solution to Yukon’s energy pinch | Yukon News

2010-06-26T07:31:00.001-08:00

Northern Cross touts solution to Yukon’s energy pinch | Yukon News
As far as fossil fuels go, it’s cheap, clean and plentiful.
If Northern Cross has its way, the stuff will help power Yukon’s next generation of mines. It may even one day help propel the trucking fleet that carries goods up the Alaska Highway.
It’s natural gas. There’s an estimated 5 trillion cubic feet of it beneath Eagle Plain, and Northern Cross, a small, privately-held Calgary company, wants to pump it to the surface, chill it to minus 160 degrees Celsius so it condenses to liquid, and truck it to energy-hungry mines within the territory.

Click above link to read the full story in Yukon News

Power line goes to review, Vancouver Sun

2010-04-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Power line goes to review
A proposed $404-million power line would create "major" economic opportunity including mining and renewable power projects in northwest British Columbia, according to BC Transmission Corp.

The Crown agency says in a new submission to the B.C. environmental assessment office that the impact on forests, fish and wildlife from construction of a 335-kilometre Northwest Transmission Line are not generally not significant with the exception of clearing of old-growth cedar in some areas along the route.

The 287-kilovolt line would run between the Terrace substation to Bob Quinn Lake, roughly following the Highway 37 corridor, in a 38-metre-wide right of way.

B.C. ready to support ocean power, minister says, Vancouver Sun

2010-03-28T16:39:00.001-08:00

B.C. ready to support ocean power, minister says
British Columbia is preparing to make a push to become a leading proponent of ocean energy resource development, B.C. Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom said on Friday at the Globe 2010 conference in Vancouver.

Lekstrom, appearing as a panelist at a session that looked at opportunities and obstacles to commercialize electricity generation using tidal and wave energy, said his ministry has "just completed work on an ocean policy."

Click link above for full Vancouver Sun story.

The power line which will deliver a means to remain in traditional territories

2010-03-28T12:31:00.001-08:00

This video pretty well covers the benefits which will be derived from the different areas of the North Coast Mountain Region. Renewable energy jobs are maintenance intensive and profitable. Work from this field will be ideal for BC and Yukon First Nation Citizens and to Alaska Natives as well as for other Alaskans and British Columbian residing in their respective areas.

B.C. group touts green economic solution

2010-03-11T20:33:00.000-09:00

B.C. group touts green economic solution

B.C. could pull in about $4.3 billion annually and eliminate its debt over several years by tapping into and selling its vast green-energy potential, said a report released yesterday.

Bio-energy, run-of-river, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave and solar energy could all be developed to help the environment and to work towards wiping out B.C.'s debt in 15 years or less, said the B.C. Citizens for Green Energy's 76-page report.

"B.C. is widely recognized as having a natural abundance of renewable green energy resources. However, this natural abundance is currently going virtually untapped as are the economic and environmental benefits that developing them could bring to our province," said the report, titled A Triple Legacy for Future Generations: B.C.'s Potential as a Renewable Green Energy Powerhouse.

Read more by clicking above link.

Tides come in (environmentalresearchweb blog) - environmentalresearchweb

2010-03-11T19:42:00.000-09:00

Tides come in (environmentalresearchweb blog) - environmentalresearchweb
The use of tidal energy for generating electricity is moving ahead rapidly around the world, and the potential for expansion is significant, with the emphasis being on tidal current turbines, although some tidal barrages are also being developed or planned – for example, various barrage and lagoon scheme are still under consideration for the Severn estuary. A decision on which to go for should emerge later this year.

The global potential is quite large. Trade network Tidal Today’s second annual ‘Tidal Summit’, held in London last November, heard from a speaker from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) who relayed some estimates of tidal energy potentials: China: 50 TWh p.a; Ireland: 10 TWh; UK: 31 TWh; France: 10 TWh; Norway: 3 TWh; US: 115 TWh. The big ones, in terms of capacity, included Canada: >40 GW and South Korea: 1000 GW.

Click on the link above to read the full story.

CBC News - North - Feds failing wind energy industry, Whitehorse engineer says

2010-03-06T09:59:00.000-09:00

CBC News - North - Feds failing wind energy industry, Whitehorse engineer says

A Whitehorse engineer who organized a wind energy conference in Ottawa this week says governments should spend more money on alternative energy industries, not on infrastructure and bailing out car manufacturers.

J.P. Pinard, who hosted the 2009 Wind-Diesel Workshop on Monday and Tuesday, said the federal government cut incentive programs this year for wind energy, including a wind subsidy program and a plan to assist northern communities wanting to supplement diesel-generated power with wind energy.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/06/03/wind-energy.html#ixzz0hQNeOf0z or click above link

CBC News - North - Yukon Energy urged to release alternative power studies

2010-03-06T09:57:00.000-09:00

CBC News - North - Yukon Energy urged to release alternative power studies
The Yukon's public power utility should release feasibility studies it had done on wind and geothermal energy, says NDP MLA Steve Cardiff.

Cardiff is calling on Yukon Energy Corp. to release the studies, which he said the utility has been withholding to date.

"These studies were paid for with public funds. The energy corporation belongs to Yukon citizens," Cardiff told CBC News on Friday.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/03/05/yukon-alt-power.html#ixzz0hQMDeREq or click above link.

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

2010-02-28T17:14:00.003-09:00

Congratulations to Canada and British Columbia for a successful hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics!

View the vancouver2010.com medals' table

(Petersburg Mayor) Al Dwyer’s comments stir talk of continuation of TBPA - Wrangell Sentinel

2010-02-25T12:26:00.006-09:00

Wrangell Sentinel - the oldest continuously published paper in Alaska.

It came as a surprise to both the Wrangell Assembly and Thomas Bay Power Authority (TBPA) when Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer announced that he was considering cutting Petersburg’s $50,000.

Dwyer made the comment during the February 8 Petersburg Council Meeting. He suggested that Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) would better manage TBPA’s current load, and that Wrangell unofficially expressed an interest in such a changeover.

Wrangell Mayor Don McConachie commented that he had not hosted any discussion on the topic. Regarding Dwyer’s comments, McConachie stated, “Quiet frankly that comes as a big surprise to me.”

Click link above to read full story in the Wrangell Sentinel

A deeper shade of green | Oilweek Magazine

2010-02-24T15:04:00.000-09:00

A deeper shade of green | Oilweek Magazine

Calgary-based pipeline and power giant Enbridge Inc. has already invested heavily in such renewable electricity areas as wind and solar; now it has turned its attention to geothermal energy projects in British Columbia and elsewhere in North America.

"We believe there is meaningful potential for geothermal energy production in Canada," Chuck Szmurlo, vice-president of alternative and emerging technology with Canada´s largest pipeline company, told Oilweek.
"It´s on our radar screen. Canada is still in its infancy [in terms of naturally occurring geothermal power]. But there is an attractive resource in B.C."

Read more: http://www.oilweek.com/articles.asp?ID=715#ixzz0gV97Sa4q

Small wind farm pays big

2010-02-24T06:51:00.000-09:00

Small wind farm pays big
On Tuesday, the village of Unalakleet, seated on Alaska's northwest coast, celebrated the town's newest energy force -- turbine number six. The awakening of the high-tech wind catcher completes the installation of the town's new wind farm, which has already saved the village tens of thousands of dollars since the first turbines powered up a few months ago.

Since November, Unalakleet has cut utility costs by nearly $55,000 and generated enough electricity to power 86 homes for an entire year, according the wind farm's new Web site. The site also claims the wind energy has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise have been pumped into the atmosphere through more traditional, diesel-only power generation -- the equivalent of more than 580,000 miles of driving in the family car. According to our calculations, that's about 111 one-way trips between Anchorage and Key West, Florida.

Click above links to read Jill Burke's full Alaska Dispatch story.

BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher

2010-02-22T07:10:00.000-09:00

BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher

Efforts by a Wall Street financial giant to poach employees and business from a lucrative government-owned energy trading operation in Vancouver are proving expensive for British Columbia taxpayers.

BC Hydro subsidiary corporation Powerex has lost 10 energy trading team members in a continuing employee raid by New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley, according to an internal memo obtained by The Vancouver Sun...

Click link above for entire story from the Vancouver Sun

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Alaska must invest in itself; in state gas line needed

2010-02-20T23:01:00.002-09:00

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Alaska must invest in itself in state gas line needed

Alaska’s economic future is clouded by our lack of economic diversity, declining gross state product and the decline of Alaskan’s per capita income. For the past 30 years, two-thirds of Alaska’s economy has been driven by the oil industry and government spending. Recently, we have seen declining crude oil production on Alaska’s North Slope and decreased federal spending on Alaska projects.

Click above links for full op-ed piece

Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld

2010-02-20T16:26:00.000-09:00

Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld
Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.

GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek

2010-02-20T10:39:00.000-09:00

GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.’s energy finance unit said it may double the capacity of a wind farm in British Columbia, increasing its bet on renewable-power in Canada’s westernmost province.

GE and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corp. last year bought the unfinished, 144-megawatt Dokie Ridge Wind Project, the first equity investment in wind energy in Canada for both companies.

“British Columbia has tremendous natural resources that are ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects,” Alex Urquhart, who runs the energy financial services unit, a division of Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric’s GE Capital division, said in a statement today.

Click link above for full story

Electricity: A new industrial pillar for the B. C economy

2010-02-17T07:43:00.000-09:00

Electricity: A new industrial pillar for the B. C economy

To say that the atmosphere in Vancouver is electric is something of a double entendre. Certainly, thousands of visitors surging through the streets to take in the Olympic Games and related activities have recharged our sleepy little town, but a series of announcements tied to Premier Gordon Campbell's clean-energy program this week may do more in the long run to bring power to the people.

Click links above for full story

Lawmakers think Senate's energy bill would force risk-taking - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source |

2010-02-16T14:36:00.001-09:00

Lawmakers think Senate's energy bill would force risk-taking - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source |
JUNEAU, Alaska -- Some lawmakers are questioning whether or not the state can afford certain alternative energy projects and brought up those questions in Monday's Senate Resources Committee meeting.

They're concerned the Senate's wide-ranging energy bill would force the state to take some risks.

Language in the omnibus energy bill would require state agencies to consider using alternative energy projects.

Northeast transmission line would create 'energy corridor' that could boost our clean power exports, Liberals say

2010-02-16T07:22:00.001-09:00

Northeast transmission line would create 'energy corridor' that could boost our clean power exports, Liberals say
Following the push to build a new transmission line into northwestern B.C., the provincial Liberals want to extend the power grid to the northeast as well, as part of what they are calling a "northern energy corridor."

"New transmission infrastructure will link northeastern B.C. to our integrated grid," declared the speech from the throne last week.

The move was touted as a way to "provide clean power to the energy industry" and to "open up new capacity for clean power exports to Alberta and Saskatchewan."

CBC News - North - Yukon Liberal MLA protests utilities board appointment

2010-02-13T19:09:00.000-09:00

CBC News - North - Yukon Liberal MLA protests utilities board appointment
The Yukon's opposition Liberals are protesting the way Premier Dennis Fentie is making appointments to government boards and committees.

Liberal MLA Don Inverarity said Fentie recently bypassed the legislative assembly's appointment process in appointing Bruce McLennan to chair the Yukon Utilities Board.

McLennan is a former Yukon government deputy minister who currently lives in British Columbia. He has been appointed to chair the board for six months.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/02/11/yukon-yub-appointment.html#ixzz0fTp4Y5vX

Whitehorsestar.com - Leaders discuss salmon, caribou, pipeline

2010-02-11T14:11:00.000-09:00

Whitehorsestar.com - Leaders discuss salmon, caribou, pipeline
Whitehorse Star - Whitehorse, YK
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie met in Whitehorse recently to discuss issues ranging from the Yukon River salmon fishery, the Porcupine Caribou herd, the Skagway port, natural gas to possible wind and hydro options.

Click the link above to read details in the Whitehorse Star.

Parnell, Premier Fentie meet in Whitehorse - Juneau Empire

2010-02-08T19:08:00.002-09:00

Parnell, Premier Fentie meet in Whitehorse - Juneau Empire

Terrace Standard - Power line twinning cost probed

2010-02-03T08:28:00.000-09:00

Terrace Standard - Power line twinning cost probed
THE PROVINCIAL government is estimating how much it might cost to build the Northwest Transmission Line’s towers so that more lines could be added if demand to move power increases.

Making provision for expansion makes sense when building any kind of large infrastructure project, said provincial energy minister Blair Lekstrom about the plan to build the line 335km from the Skeena substation near Terrace up Hwy37 North.

“I think with a lot of the infrastructure you build in B.C. you build with a view for the future at the most economical cost,” Lekstrom said last week.

Power Line Review About to Begin | CFTKTV

2010-01-30T15:41:00.001-09:00

Power Line Review About to Begin | CFTKTV
The B-C Transmission Corporation has formally submitted the Northwest Transmission Line project for environmental review.

B-C's Environmental Assessment office now has 30 days to decide whether the application meets the criteria for a review. If it does, it'll be made public, triggering the 180-day review period.

Hydroworld - BC answers call for power

2010-01-22T17:57:00.001-09:00

Canadian News

Canadian News

BC Hydro advances 36 hydro projects in Clean Power Call

BC Hydro announced a total of 47 British Columbia renewable energy projects, including 36 hydro projects, remain under consideration for power purchases under its 2008 Clean Power Call.

In November 2009, the provincial utility said it would begin discussions with the developers of 13 proposed hydroelectric and wind power projects that it identified as the most cost-effective. Additionally, BC Hydro will offer developers of the other 34 projects the opportunity to make their proposals more cost-effective.

By technology, the remaining projects are 36 hydro, 10 wind, and one waste heat project. more

CBC News - North - Hydro expansion will be 'rate neutral': Yukon Energy

2010-01-14T20:33:00.001-09:00

CBC News - North - Hydro expansion will be 'rate neutral': Yukon Energy
Yukon Energy Corp. says customers won't pay a cent for millions of dollars in anticipated environmental benefits from its Mayo B hydroelectric expansion project.

The public utility's $160-million plan to build a new power plant and a connecting power line, still needs regulatory approvals from the Yukon Utilities Board, Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board, and the Yukon Water Board.

The power plant itself will cost $120 million, while another $40 million will be spent on building the Carmacks-Stewart transmission line, which will connect Yukon Energy's Mayo-Dawson hydro grid to the Whitehorse grid.

B.C. power line plans have Alaskans buzzing - Jan 13, 2010 Vancouver Sun

2010-01-14T19:20:00.001-09:00

B.C. power line plans have Alaskans buzzing
British Columbia's plan for a $400-million high voltage power line into the northwest has Alaskans buzzing about the project's potential to spark green power development in their state.

Southeast Alaska has more than 3,000 megawatts of potential electricity generation at 80-plus sites, including hydro, wind and tidal power.

But with a population of 70,000 people scattered across a 650-kilometre area, the geographically isolated southeast market is too small to absorb even a fraction of that electricity. It's not economical unless it can be exported.

The northwest line would give Alaska access, for purposes of electricity sales, to the entire western North America electricity market.

Ketchikan supplements with diesel generation KRBD - Ketchikan

2010-01-09T12:51:00.001-09:00

KRBD - Public Radio in Ketchikan, Alaska - Local News
Deanna Garrison
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA (2010-01-07) Beginning Friday, Ketchikan Public Utilities will start operating diesel generators at a cost of $36,000 a day. KPU says a surge in electricity usage and dry weather last year is causing the utility to rely on costly diesel power.

CBC News - North - Too costly to hook up to northern B.C. power line: Yukon Energy

2010-01-08T09:58:00.001-09:00

CBC News - North - Too costly to hook up to northern B.C. power line: Yukon Energy
Officials with Yukon Energy Corp. are keenly watching plans in the works for a hydroelectricity power line in neighbouring northern British Columbia, but say there's little chance the territory can capitalize on the emerging project.

On Friday, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell announced $10 million will go toward finalizing plans to build the Northwest Transmission Line, which will run 335 kilometres along Highway 37 from Terrace to Meziadin Junction and north to Bob Quinn Lake.

The line will link northern B.C. to the North American electricity grid — something Yukon Energy would like get to closer to, but officials say is not likely to happen.

"I think it would still be out of reach, or out of the question, to think that we could go from the Yukon down to Bob Quinn Lake," Yukon Energy spokeswoman Janet Patterson told CBC News on Friday.

Happy 2010! May this be a prosperous and wonderful New Year!

2010-01-01T17:53:00.001-09:00

Kake Tribal Corp President's letter to Petersburg Pilot - see earlier blog story

2009-12-26T08:18:00.006-09:00

November 28, 2009
Ron Loesch Publisher and Editor Petersburg Pilot Box 930 Petersburg, AK 99833
pilotpub@gmail.com RE: Letter to the Editor on Hydropower and connectivity to Kake
Dear Mr. Loesch
I read your November 19 guest editorial. I would like to offer a positive but different perspective for all to consider. Our corporation represents most of the original families of Kake and many in Petersburg. Petersburg, Ketchikan and Wrangell all benefit from heavily subsidized hydropower resources and transmission infrastructure. According to the State of Alaska Department of Revenue, the Tyee and Swan generation facilities and the Swan Tyee Intertie was gifted by large direct State subsidies amounting to $268 million dollars with a small balance coming from government subsidized loans. Theoretically, the government owns these projects to provide subsidized power cost for the benefit of all Alaskans, including the rural communities. Government sponsored socialized power is beneficial when it is equally shared among its citizens, but as you can see by visiting Kake or Angoon this public strategy has failed to bring our people and industry low cost power.
Kake has received promises and waited 40 plus years for an intertie to bring us this cheap power. All SEAPA communities are in the process of converting municipal buildings, businesses and homes from oil to cheap electric heat. Is there a guarantee of SEAPA power to sell Kake from these government subsidized assets? Assuming Kake gets an intertie, is there a guarantee that SEAPA will sell electricity to Kake at the same 6.8 cent per kilowatt rate?
Contrary to your editorial the public and private cooperative developments in Thomas Bay are not unique. Many infrastructure projects around the country have public and private cooperative agreements because this yields lower costs, more efficient management and serves the ratepayer better. Wrangell already has a lucrative power sales agreement from Cascade so there is even a local example. Despite rhetoric, Cascade and the City of Angoon projects appear ready to work with others to deliver low cost power, including Petersburg.
The public and private Thomas Bay projects will provide much needed family wage jobs for Kake residents, Angoon residents, Wrangell residents, and yes, Petersburg residents as well. Each hydropower project expects to produce 130 direct jobs and many indirect jobs. Petersburg’s restaurants and businesses would most likely appreciate the extra business. The public/private Thomas Bay projects would be able to sell lower cost competitive power to Kake so we can rebuild our community with the substantially equal power costs enjoyed by Wrangell and Petersburg. What is wrong with energy self determination and independence from government?
1
Further, rational thinking dictates that the Kake to Petersburg Intertie will be constructed along the least expensive route. Everyone understands that the lowest cost route is the route that intersects with the Cascade, Ruth and Scenery hydropower projects that will flood not only Kake but all of Southeast Alaska with low cost hydropower. The south-central route for the Kake Intertie would burden the Kake ratepayer with excessive O&M transmission costs if these costs are not shared with the hydro projects in Thomas Bay on the proposed Northern route. The least expensive route is the one that delivers the lowest cost per kilowatt hour to Kake ratepayer.
Your guest editorial also fear baited the claim that Thomas Bay power will fuel mines and lead to water contamination all because of the public/ private development of Thomas Bay. This statement is baseless and demonstrates a lack of depth of understanding. The power from the projects will be sold locally and then the surplus to the lower 48. Many of the original families of Kake and Petersburg have fought for and served our country. Please explain what is wrong with providing ourselves and our nation with energy security and lessening our dependence on foreign oil supplies while reducing green house gas emissions at the same time?
Your guest editorial suggests that electrical costs will increase with private participation in hydropower and transmission. The comparative cost and associated success of the recent FERC competitive process is a prime example of how private industry brings the public sector superior know-how and competition that pure governmental intervention and management could never match.
Kake Tribal Corporation has invested in Cascade Creek, LLC and wholly supports the City of Angoon’s development of Scenery and Ruth Lakes because these projects will deliver the lowest cost power to the citizens of Kake regardless of politics and that is doing the right thing by our people and our region. The unsuccessful strategy deployed by PMPL has resulted in no Petersburg FERC permit, no Petersburg job creation, nor has it led to lower cost of power for Petersburg now or in the future nor has it helped the region increase its energy security. Your strategy dictates that you have and will continue to buy more diesel generators. Contrary to your editorial, a new tactic might be better serving the needs of Petersburg by beginning to work with your neighbors instead of inciting them. I suggest that you try a fresh approach to constructive engagement and you will find cooperative friends as well as economic and energy benefits for Petersburg and its ratepayers.
Sincerely,
Harold Martin President, Kake Tribal Corporation Box 32034 Juneau, AK 99803-2034

Finding the power grid’s groove | Yukon News

2009-12-24T23:10:00.000-09:00

Finding the power grid’s groove | Yukon News
Power outages have almost become an everyday occurrence for Yukoners and their businesses.

In the last eight days, we’ve had three of them. The first, on December 10, lasted for more than 30 minutes and shut down the southern Yukon grid.

Then, on Saturday morning and Monday evening, the power went out again. This time the outages lasted a few seconds and only affected parts of Whitehorse.

There’s been at least seven unplanned outages this year, according to brief survey of news reports.

That’s coming off the heels of a busy 2008, when the lights went out 35 times. Half of the outages were caused by faulty equipment, the rest were caused by nature.

So why do we have so many outages? Why do some last hours while others last seconds?

Kake Tribal Corp - an ANCSA village corporation - asks why the disparity in the treatment of the Kake Community?

2009-12-24T09:54:00.000-09:00

Petersburg PilotKake Tribal clarifies Cascade Creek, LLC partnership - Petersburg Pilot, December 24, 2009

In the continuing discussion regarding delivering low-cost power the communities of Southeast Alaska, President of the Kake Tribal Corporation, Harold Martin, announced the reason for the corporations interest in partnering with Cascade Creek LLC (CCLLC) regarding the Thomas Bay projects; “Our only interest and purpose is to get cheap electricity to our rural communities.”

Martin wrote a letter to the editor in response to the November 17th guest editorial by Charles E. “Ed” Wood. The editorial discussed the current efforts for private development of the Thomas Bay projects by CCLLC. The editorial sided with the need for public development of the Thomas Bay projects and as such, public ownership, thereby eliminating possibilities of profiteering by CCLLC.

Terrace Standard - Region eyed up for wood pellet plant location

2009-12-23T15:04:00.000-09:00

Terrace Standard - Region eyed up for wood pellet plant location

CBC News - North - No secret power line investor: Yukon Energy

2009-12-19T08:47:00.001-09:00

CBC News - North - No secret power line investor: Yukon Energy
The head of Yukon Energy said Friday there's no mystery investor behind the Carmacks to Stewart Crossing power line.

A document tabled in the legislature suggested a private investor was putting $12 million into the power line project, but David Morrison said Friday there is no private investor.

Morrison said Yukon Energy had thought Western Copper was investing in the project, but he said that investment is not happening.

Highway 37 - News & Articles - Highway 37 Update -- December 2009 - Sun Dec 13, 2009

2009-12-13T18:08:00.000-09:00

Highway 37 - News & Articles - Highway 37 Update -- December 2009 - Sun Dec 13, 2009

Alberta to decide by January on allowing nuclear power - The Globe and Mail

2009-12-13T05:31:00.001-09:00

Alberta to decide by January on allowing nuclear power - The Globe and Mail
Albertans will finally find out next month whether their energy-rich province will kick-start Canada's so-called nuclear renaissance.

"I would like to have the issue concluded by the end of January. We will - either way," Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach told The Globe and Mail during an interview.

The provincial government has been studying for more than two years whether to allow nuclear power generation. Earlier this year, it completed public consultations into the controversial energy source.

Alaskans Eye B.C. Powerline - Terrace Standard

2009-12-11T14:11:00.000-09:00

Click to read Terrace Standard story
A COALITION OF Alaskan politicians and business leaders can’t wait for the Northwest Transmission Line to be built up Hwy37 North, saying the line is the key to wealth and jobs in the Alaskan Panhandle.

The line is to terminate at a substation at Bob Quinn just off of the highway and a mere 70 miles from where an American transmission system now stops on the other side of the border with the Panhandle.

Terrace Standard - Alaskans eye B.C. power line

2009-12-11T06:44:00.000-09:00

Terrace Standard - Alaskans eye B.C. power line

Keeping the lights on won't come cheap - Alaska Dispatch

2009-12-11T06:36:00.001-09:00

Railbelt study - Keeping the lights on won't come cheap

Draft plan suggests merging utilities - AP Juneau Empire

2009-12-10T13:20:00.001-09:00

Click to read story and blog response
FAIRBANKS - A draft plan on statewide electrical generation in Alaska suggests savings by consolidating six electrical utilities in Fairbanks and the Southcentral region.
The Regional Integrated Resource Plan, released last week, analyzed Alaska's electrical infrastructure and suggested that consolidation could make it easier to shift the state toward more renewable power.

Report says Fairbanks, Southcentral could see big savings with central utility - Newsminer

2009-12-08T22:21:00.000-09:00

Click here
A draft plan on statewide electrical generation suggests big savings are to be found if six electrical utilities in Fairbanks and Southcentral consolidate.

Directors at the Fairbanks utility, Golden Valley Electric Association, generally agree, though they and their counterparts across the state have yet to agree on how to get there without saddling customers with higher short-term electricity prices.

Blowing in the Wind | BCBusiness

2009-12-06T22:25:00.002-09:00

Blowing in the Wind | BCBusiness

Posted using ShareThis
There are few places on Earth where the forces of nature are on such violent, chaotic display as Hecate Strait, the narrow stretch of shallow ocean that separates the Queen Charlotte Islands from the B.C. coast. Winter low-pressure systems born over Alaska can push winds to 160 km/h, driving waves over 30 metres high; opposing northeasterly winds gather similar speeds as they funnel across the strait hemmed in by the Queen Charlottes and the jagged mainland. When two such weather systems collide, amid tides that can rise and fall seven metres, anything in their path is trapped between a hammer and anvil.

Wrangell Sentinel - the oldest continuously published paper in Alaska.

2009-12-06T15:55:00.000-09:00

Wrangell Sentinel - the oldest continuously published paper in Alaska.

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell was expected to briefly tour Wrangell this Wednesday during part of his visit to the Southeast. The governor had a scheduled meeting in Ketchikan and decided to make a brief stop in Wrangell as part of an unplanned visit, according to the governor’s office.

During his visit the governor was anticipated to meet with the borough assembly to discuss five of 42 projects selected as priorities by the assembly. Those projects included the completion of paving for both Cassiar and Weber streets, the continued expansion of Wrangell’s medical facilities, the Alaska/British Columbia intertie, and improvements for the Marine Service center.

The Northern View - NaiKun, Katabatic make it through Clean Power Call cuts - Mobile Edition

2009-12-05T21:50:00.000-09:00

The Northern View - NaiKun, Katabatic make it through Clean Power Call cuts - Mobile Edition

Balancing act a thing of beauty - The Globe and Mail

2009-11-30T09:56:00.001-09:00

Balancing act a thing of beauty - The Globe and Mail

In negotiating a potentially groundbreaking land management deal with the province, the Taku Tlingit are fighting to find the right balance between development and protection

Gold Glitters in BC's Last Intact Watershed - BC Local News

2009-11-29T18:39:00.002-09:00

Gold Glitters in BC's Last Intact Watershed - BC Local News

Negotiations are underway to set land use rules for B.C.’s last pristine coastal watershed, the remote Taku River valley near the Alaska and Yukon borders.

In talks similar to those that established the so-called Great Bear Rainforest agreement on B.C.'s central and northern coast three years ago, the Taku River Tlingit First Nation is moving beyond court challenges over mining to a plan that would share the resources and tourism potential of their vast traditional territory.

(Historical) PM Harper in Yukon September 2009, Seku News

2009-11-26T21:30:00.002-09:00

Mayo Power project upgrade - transmission to link two Yukon Electric Transmission Systems

Bullfrog Power News

2009-11-26T09:42:00.000-09:00

Bullfrog Power News

Nov. 25, 2009 Whitehorse Yukon - Policies to Support Increased Renewable Energy to be Developed

2009-11-26T06:57:00.000-09:00

Click here for press release
A public consultation for developing Yukon policies for independent power production (IPP) and net metering was announced today by Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Archie Lang.

“As a key initiative of Yukon’s Energy Strategy, these policies will encourage the development of new small scale sources of renewable energy to help meet our future energy needs while limiting green house gas emissions and improving electrical system reliability,” Lang said.

FERC Enters a Maze of Questions About Renewable Energy Transmission - New York Times

2009-11-24T09:13:00.002-09:00

Click here for story

Former politician holds first public meeting to call for new party in Yukon | Product Design and Development

2009-11-21T09:20:00.000-09:00

Former politician holds first public meeting to call for new party in Yukon | Product Design and Development

A Sea of Potential in Alaska « Mendo Coast Current

2009-11-20T05:53:00.000-09:00

A Sea of Potential in Alaska « Mendo Coast Current An older, but relevant article by Brian Yannity on the ocean energy potential off Alaska's coast

BC Hydro pares bid list for Clean Power, calls for price cuts; Names of successful bidders still under wraps | Kelowna.com

2009-11-18T07:47:00.000-09:00

BC Hydro pares bid list for Clean Power, calls for price cuts; Names of successful bidders still under wraps | Kelowna.com

SitNews - Opinion/Letter: Heating and power generation By A.M.Johnson

2009-11-17T17:44:00.000-09:00

SitNews - Opinion/Letter: Heating and power generation By A.M.Johnson Energy News out of Ketchikan? One Citizen's Viewpoint

Yukon News

2009-11-16T19:11:00.001-09:00

Yukon News
Anti-privatization bill on ice
Yukon - Premier Dennis Fentie shut down debate on the Liberals’ Yukon Energy Corporation Protection Act on November 4.

The draft law would require the government to hold a referendum before selling the utility’s assets. However, the bill would still allow what’s called rationalization: a proposed asset-swap between Yukon Energy and the Yukon Electrical Company to detangle the roles of energy production and distribution.

The government supports the spirit of the bill, said Fentie, but it’s currently hobbled by several flaws. click on story to read more

International Water Power and Dam Construction

2009-11-16T13:24:00.001-09:00

International Water Power and Dam Construction Brian Yanity presents a review of regional hydro power development strategies involving proposed international transmission lines connecting the US state of Alaska and Canada

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer Commentary - Dermot Cole

2009-11-14T17:36:00.000-09:00

Click here to read article Dermot Coles insightful commentary on railbelt energy issues. In the comment section are some informative remarks by Charlie Bussel, a former legislator and Alaska Energy Authority Executive Director. Also some further third party commentary on Southeast's dubious performance on energy policy.

Energy plan calls for unifying (Railbelt) electric utilities

2009-11-13T21:14:00.001-09:00

Energy plan calls for unifying electric utilities The most interesting portion of this article is some commentary which relates to Southeast Alaska and it's organizational difficulties and promises because of it's verdant supply of alpine lake tap hydroelectric energy.

AltaGas short-circuits BC Hydro

2009-11-13T20:59:00.003-09:00

AltaGas short-circuits BC Hydro
This action by AltaGas, the owner of nearby BC run-of-river hydro project proposals, would short circuit the process to get the east of Wrangell Northwest Transmission Line moving in an expedited manner. It makes a connection to Southeast Alaska even more tangible.

Greg Brown, World Energy Expert - Lecturing on energy at the University of Alaska Southeast

2009-11-10T11:52:00.000-09:00

This is a lecture by Greg Brown, an international energy expert who presented this lecture at the University of Alaska - Southeast's Auke Lake Campus in November of 2008. In this lecture Mr. Brown presents portions of an energy solution for America and Alaska. A highly recommended view.

Man of the North - BC Business Online

2009-11-09T11:51:00.000-09:00

Click here to read story As a youth, Tom Albanese fled a small industrial New Jersey town for Alaska. Albanese, now 50, is the first American CEO of the venerable London-based mining giant Rio Tinto PLC (RTP-N), which last year took over Alcan Inc. in a $38-billion deal. He went to university in Fairbanks, Alaska, for degrees in mineral economics and mining engineering.

Boom and Bust in B.C.'s Northwest - BC Business

2009-11-09T07:49:00.000-09:00

Click here to read story How a proposed power line is reviving a centuries-old dream  of economic prosperity for  B.C.’s beleaguered northwest

Native tribe will petition Ottawa to remove its Indian status - Globe & Mail

2009-11-09T07:40:00.000-09:00

Click here to read story Gitxsan people from northwest British Columbia willing to relinquish reserves, tax exemptions, Indian Act housing and financial supports in exchange for a share of resources

Angoon gets preliminary hydropower project permit" - Juneau (AP) Fairbanks Newminer

2009-11-05T22:12:00.000-09:00

Click here to read story

BC Hydro board shuffles CEO Bob Elton aside

2009-11-04T20:58:00.000-09:00

BC Hydro board shuffles CEO Bob Elton aside

"Renewing Our Future" Harold Frank, Jr - American Insight Winner, Native American Times

2009-11-03T21:07:00.000-09:00

Renewing Our Future Click here to read story

BC Premier Campbell announces sweeping B.C. energy policy review

2009-11-02T17:59:00.000-09:00

Premier Campbell announces sweeping B.C. energy policy review

CFTK - Terrace Sept 16, 2009 "Prime Minister at meeting with U.S. President announces NTL funding"

2009-10-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

Click to view CFTK's coverage of Prime Minister Harper's Announcement

CBC All Points West Sept 16, 2009 interview with NTL adversary - an excellent interview irrespective of one's viewpoint

2009-10-29T22:34:00.000-08:00

City and Borough of Wrangell takes lead in AK-BC Intertie Organization - KSTK, Wrangell, Alaska - Local News

2009-10-29T21:29:00.000-08:00

Click here to hear KSTK story

CKPG-TV News coverage of Canadian Prime Minister Harper's NTL's funding announcment in Washington, DC

2009-10-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

Click here to view CKPG story

Alaska can provide energy security to U.S. - KTUU, Anchorage Interview with Vice-Admiral McGuinn

2009-10-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

History - BC Premier Gordon Campbell Announces NTL Environmental Assessment is Proceeding at 2008 UBCM

2009-10-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

Notes on this site

2009-10-23T16:42:00.003-08:00

Updates to this site will be made from time to time. The news feed site will help alert us to pertinent breaking news stories. Please click on the regional news feed topics to see the news for the various regions within our subject area. Any ideas for additions or changes will be happily received and made if at all possible. Please post your ideas or communicate them to us. Thank you.

Aside from the obvious - how will this help First Nation communities?

2009-10-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

I realize that I am traveling on untrammeled ground as an Alaskan author of this posting. Please to those more knowledgeable on BC utility law - feel free to correct any factual errors.

Our Northern First Nation communities in non-grid connected communities in both Northern BC and Southeast Alaska pay an extraordinary cost for energy. In Alaska, the first 500 kilowatt-hours of energy is equalized, in BC there is a much higher level of equalization for diesel dependent communities.

Nonetheless, our diesel dependent communities of Angoon, Hoonah, Iskut, Kake, and Klukwan pay a huge premium and a high economic cost for not being interconnected to the "grid". In BC if a community is interconnected, they pay an equalized rate for residential, business and commercial electric rates respectively. In Alaska, it's the first 500 kilowatt-hours - that's it! It won't change immediately or significantly with a community's grid interconnection in Alaska, but it will make a big difference and should lead the way to rethinking how electric rates are established there.

Consequenly by not being interconnected in BC, those rural communities are on their own in terms of commercial energy rates. And like Alaska's First Nation communities, those communities suffer a tremendous cost in terms of a local economy. Interconnections are good for business and sustainable living!

OK, but what benefit is an Alaska-Canadian link for BC and Canada?

2009-10-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

Canada and British Columbia have taken the giant steps necessary for a potential interconnection to Alaska. Canada and BC benefit in a number of ways.

First, an interconnection to Alaska brings a measure of insurance to BC rate-payers whom presumably are making this investment. BC Hydro had a power-line project built years ago, but after it was completed the mine which it was to serve closed due to the volatility of mineral prices. The province and rate-ratepayers were stuck with a cost that yielded no benefit. Having an interconnection to Alaska ensures there will be a payback on the investment regardless of the status of loads in Northwest BC.

Second, interconnection to other generation sources such as Wrangell and Petersburg's Tyee Lake Hydro lends stability to an otherwise radial power-line extension. Electrical energy behaves better when it is connected to other generating sources. So, such an interconnection benefits the proposed Northwest Transmission Line (NTL)

Such an interconnection makes power projects and commercial development in Northwest BC more sustainable. Having another sources of energy in the region adds to the reliability of commercial enterprise in the Northwest BC region of Canada.

How would a link between these two regions benefit Alaska?

2009-10-20T01:04:00.000-08:00

There are quite a number of benefits a link between Alaska and British Columbia provides Southeast. First, because British Columbia abides by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules, it's energy transmission entity BC Transmission Corporation charges the same wheeling (transmission) rate from Prince Rupert to Vancouver as it charges from Vancouver to the border near Blaine, Washington. This means that if a Washington utility wanted to sell power to someone in Alaska the transmission rate would be a minor component of the cost.

What the above means to a utility in Alaska is that it could purchase power from a U.S. power producer or utility at a very low cost for use in Alaska. An Alaska power producer might sell it's renewable power at a much higher cost to some lower forty-eight entity at the same time. So Alaskans may benefit from the interconnection in seeing a reduction in their costs because lower forty-eight utilities wish to purchase renewable energy - even at a higher cost.

Northwest BC Transmission Line/Southeast Alaska Transmission Line - a symbiotic relationship

2009-10-19T23:43:00.000-08:00

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings." from The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll

This came to mind when I started this blog, it's a quote which seemed appropriate to this first entry in the North Coast Mountain Energy blog - the basis for this blog is that there needs to be some understanding of how this region of Northwest British Columbia, Southern Yukon and Southeast Alaska is tied culturally, geographically and historically - that a closer economic relationship between these two countries and numerous First Nations is positive, necessary and inevitable given the renewable energy resources which envelop this region of North America.