New federal program to help remote Alaska communities with renewable energy infrastructure
Posted by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | Apr 26, 2021
The Green Lake dam is one of two hydroelectric projects operated by the City of Sitka. Sitka was one of five Alaska towns chosen to participate in a new Department of Energy program to help with grid design and boosting renewable energy production (City of Sitka)
Electric vehicle use is on the rise in Alaska, particularly in Southeast, where many communities rely on renewable hydropower. Electric buses are hitting the streets in Juneau and Tok. And states like Washington are exploring electric ferries as a way to save money and reduce carbon footprints.
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“There is a big project that’s being thought about in the area a hydroproject, Rose said. There’s a lot of ramifications with big projects. And REAP is just there to make sure that the community gets its questions answered and get access to who they need to at the national laboratories.”
REAP will act as a liaison for Nushagak Cooperative, the local utilities co-op. It.will arrange for resources from the National Renewable Energy Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Sandia National Labs to help with the co-op’s Nuyakuk project proposal, and with plans to scope the hydroelectric project this summer.
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