: Great news!!!
Juneau could be back on 100 percent hydro power by June 8th
Juneau could be reconnected to Snettisham hydro generated electricity much sooner than expected.
Alaska Electric Light and Power's Scott Willis says all the towers have been set back on their foundations.
The third and final one was set Saturday
Willis says setting the towers removed some of the uncertainly from the schedule and the new date for reconnecting to Snettisham is June 8th.
He says there are several factors that have contributed to moving up the schedule. Willis says the contractor on site has worked hard and made good progress. The original schedule included a contingency for poor weather and repair to damaged foundations.
He says they've found minimal damage to the foundations and there have been very few delays caused by weather. Willis says the revised schedule means the total cost of diesel being consumed by AEL&P's back-up generators and the Emergency Cost of Power Adjustment effective in mid-June will be lower than originally anticipated. He says AEL&P is currently revising its estimates and will release the new numbers next week.
Two avalanches destroyed three towers and damaged several others on April 16th, cutting Juneau off from it's main source of hydro generated electricity.
City expands electric bill relief program
The number of Juneau residents that could potentially be helped with their electric bills has been expanded.
The Assembly has authorized an expansion of the current energy relief program within the current $2.5 million dollars allocated to with the nearly five-fold increase in electrical bills
Kevin Ritchie is heading up the "Juneau Unplugged" program.
He says the expanded plan could serve nearly half of Juneau's households, about 12,000.
He say the first level of assistance would pay for about 70 percent of the increase in the electric rates.
Level two would about half of the increase and the third level would pay for about 30 percent of the increase.
Ritchie says the level one eligibility is 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline adjusted for Alaska.
That means a single person household could up to $26,000 per year and a family of four could earn up to $54,000.
Level two and three are based on 250 percent and 300 percept of the federal poverty guidelines.
The United Way has contracted with Catholic Community Services to implement the program.
$1 million dollars was initially appropriated by the Assembly. Another $1.5 million is potentially available depending on how many apply.
Alaska Electric Light and Power customer will see a temporary nearly five fold increase in their bills due to two avalanches that cut off electricity from the Snettisham hydro plant on April 16th.
Electricity is being supplied by three smaller hydro pant and back up diesel generators.
Juneau Unplugged can be contacted by calling 463-6130.
Application are available on the city and borough and A-E-L and P web sites as well as at libraries.
Juneau could be back on 100 percent hydro power by June 8th
Juneau could be reconnected to Snettisham hydro generated electricity much sooner than expected.
Alaska Electric Light and Power's Scott Willis says all the towers have been set back on their foundations.
The third and final one was set Saturday
Willis says setting the towers removed some of the uncertainly from the schedule and the new date for reconnecting to Snettisham is June 8th.
He says there are several factors that have contributed to moving up the schedule. Willis says the contractor on site has worked hard and made good progress. The original schedule included a contingency for poor weather and repair to damaged foundations.
He says they've found minimal damage to the foundations and there have been very few delays caused by weather. Willis says the revised schedule means the total cost of diesel being consumed by AEL&P's back-up generators and the Emergency Cost of Power Adjustment effective in mid-June will be lower than originally anticipated. He says AEL&P is currently revising its estimates and will release the new numbers next week.
Two avalanches destroyed three towers and damaged several others on April 16th, cutting Juneau off from it's main source of hydro generated electricity.
City expands electric bill relief program
The number of Juneau residents that could potentially be helped with their electric bills has been expanded.
The Assembly has authorized an expansion of the current energy relief program within the current $2.5 million dollars allocated to with the nearly five-fold increase in electrical bills
Kevin Ritchie is heading up the "Juneau Unplugged" program.
He says the expanded plan could serve nearly half of Juneau's households, about 12,000.
He say the first level of assistance would pay for about 70 percent of the increase in the electric rates.
Level two would about half of the increase and the third level would pay for about 30 percent of the increase.
Ritchie says the level one eligibility is 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline adjusted for Alaska.
That means a single person household could up to $26,000 per year and a family of four could earn up to $54,000.
Level two and three are based on 250 percent and 300 percept of the federal poverty guidelines.
The United Way has contracted with Catholic Community Services to implement the program.
$1 million dollars was initially appropriated by the Assembly. Another $1.5 million is potentially available depending on how many apply.
Alaska Electric Light and Power customer will see a temporary nearly five fold increase in their bills due to two avalanches that cut off electricity from the Snettisham hydro plant on April 16th.
Electricity is being supplied by three smaller hydro pant and back up diesel generators.
Juneau Unplugged can be contacted by calling 463-6130.
Application are available on the city and borough and A-E-L and P web sites as well as at libraries.