Petersburg assembly advances bond measure for electrical generation
Posted by Joe Viechnicki | Jul 20, 2021
Water from Crystal Lake is drained through a penstock to a powerhouse at Blind Slough. (Joe Viechnicki/KFSK)
Petersburg’s borough assembly Monday approved the first reading of a ballot question on bonding for Petersburg’s electrical system. The measure would be one of two to appear on the October 5
th ballot and could shore up both hydro and diesel power generation for electrical customers on the island.
The 7.8 million dollar bond would pay for an overhaul and upgrades at the borough’s hydroelectric power plant at Blind Slough, on southern Mitkof Island. Overall that’s expected to cost around nine million dollars. Utility director Karl Hagerman explained the work will keep the power plant running as Petersburg’s cheapest source of electricity.