News-Miner Editorial
Energy attention
Juneau's problem adds voice to the concern about high prices
Published Saturday, April 26, 2008
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Stumble It!The energy calamity that struck the city of Juneau in mid-April could actually have an upside.
Not to minimize the inconvenience to the city and to its residents’ bank accounts, but the destruction of a main transmission line serving the capital city has almost certainly been an eye-opener to people there about energy issues.
And maybe they will gain a greater understanding of the problems confronting energy consumers in other parts of the state.
The eye-opening down in Juneau comes from the fact that that city’s residents will see their utility bills rise by about 450 percent because the region’s utility company has had to turn to diesel fuel as the main source of power generation.
And it will be months before the transmission line, wiped out by an avalanche, is repaired and power can again be drawn from the Snettisham Hydropower Facility.
Juneau residents had been paying 11 cents per kilowatt-hour but will likely see that rise to about 50 cents per kwh. Fairbanks residents, by the way, pay a residential rate of 17 cents per kwh to Golden Valley Electric Association.
Those who live in other parts of the state, where rates can top 50 cents per kwh, might not have a heck of a lot of sympathy for folks in Juneau.
Perhaps the pocketbook plight inflicted on Juneau residents will cause them to join those elsewhere in the state in the chorus calling for an increased focus on the energy crisis that is upon us.
Community Discussion
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Yeah, makes me wonder why it's an energy calamity when Juneau has to use diesel generators for three months until they get their towers repaired when rural Alaska has had energy costs for years that surpass the $.50/kw. The legislature adjourned a few weeks ago and shame on you legislators that had shown no interest in alleviating our high energy costs.
Saw an article last week where Enstar submitted Cook Inlet contracts and we all know Anchorage has enjoyed low energy costs from Cook Inlet natural gas; why is Anchorage able to buy OUR natural gas so cheap and be able to enjoy low heating and energy costs when no consideration is given to the rest of us in getting a break in the royalty oil? Why have our rural and Interior legislators not filed a class action lawsuit years ago so we can get royalty oil at the same price as their natural gas. Why is the State taking immediate action in having the State disaster officials meet to discuss helping just Juneau cope with high power costs when it'll only be three months until they get their low cost of power back? Meeting to "consider how to soften the blow of the increased cost", where are you when the rest of Alaska has asked for help?
Whoever wrote this editorial didn't do the homework. GVEA cost a hell of allot mote than $0.17/Kwh for power if you care to look at the bill and all of the creative charges on it. Take your usage and divide it into the total and you will see it is more like $0.25/Kwh. "Customer" charge, fuel charge and then electricity is "extra". GVEA has been ripping off the community for 30 years that I know of and disguising the rates with creative charges. GVEA is also pounding big $$ down black holes not related to power distribution as well.
Juneau has been subsidized by the state since birth and now they get to pay a true cost … squeal like stuck pigs …lol.
Just a few weeks ago the interior legislation pleaded the need to address the interior energy crisis. The response from the majority in Juneau was "Winter is over!" As I look outside it sure looks like winter and fuel prices have increased 40 cents since then. Juneau can go get *@!#ed!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2008
AEA Announces Energy Plan Town Hall Meetings
Public Forums Scheduled for 25 Communities
(Anchorage) - The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) announced Energy Plan Town Hall meetings to be held in twenty-five communities throughout Alaska, starting April 28 in Palmer and concluding June 4 in Anchorage.
"Our goal is simple: We must reduce the cost of energy in Alaska by using locally available energy resources," said AEA Executive Director and Energy Coordinator Steve Haagenson. "To reach that goal we are engaging Alaskans in the process of creating and deploying solutions that will not only provide stable-cost energy now, but will help ensure affordable, reliable energy for our children and grandchildren as well."
Teams comprised of representatives from AEA, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) and the Denali Commission will be traveling throughout Alaska to meet with the public, business, community and regional leaders and utility managers.
"We are holding these Town Hall meetings to gain answers for two fundamental questions," Haagenson said. "First, we want to ask Alaskans what they know about local energy resources and which resources they think could possibly be developed to help lower costs. Second, we want to ask residents which resources they prefer not to develop, and why."
Fairbanks: April 30, 4-8 PM, Carlson Center, Arthur Buswell Pioneer Room
See you there!
These comments are exactly like I feel. No one seems to be running to OUR rescue!! Hell, we are in GREAT SHAPE compared to the villages!! We need to let some of our southern neighbors and fellow Alaskans see what it has been feeling like to us for YEARS!! And I just heard Michael Dukes say the other day, sometimes you get the feeling that southern Alaskans say (or at least act like) "hey you guys live in the interior, it serves you right!" Well, now that the shoe is on THEIR foot, how does it feel???
No kidding, let them spend near $6500 to keep the lights on and the heat going in a 7 month period. This whole idea that winter is over and we dont need to worry about the high energy cost better not be true from the governments angle. Cuz next winter is gonna be financially devastating for many interior residents if the fuel (Heating oil and Gas) prices keep on the path they're on now!
Fairbanksgas: Thanks for the reminder of the Alaska Energy Authority meeting on April 30th here in Fairbanks. And for the rural ALASKANS here is the schedule for the AEA meeting in your area. It is time all ALASKANS to unite for lower power prices throughout the State. http://www.aidea.org/aea/index.html
A growing number of economist predict oil prices with reach $200 a barrel in the near future, and few see prices dropping below the $100 a barrel range. IF YOU ARE SCREAMING NOW, REMEMBER WE ARE AT THE LOW END OF THE RANGE OF FUTURE OIL PRICE PREDICTIONS.
We need a Special Session of the Alaskan Legislature that deals with only the unacceptable high cost of ALASKAN ENERGY CRISIS or a Constitutional Convention where WE THE PEOPLE will take care of the problem.
With all the fuel crisis if we should look into the
drivewater.com
and see if can help
Melindas, the website you reference is a total scam. The "buy now" links will take you to a completely different website where some unscrupulous individual will take your money and run with it. Didn't your mother tell you, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?"
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