Summary

Sealaska Corporation is conducting a comprehensive feasibility study that demonstrates the potential sustainability of renewable energy development on Southeast Alaska native village lands. The feasibility study includes an assessment of wind and micro-hydroelectric power potential, and will conclude with a business plan to obtain financing for the implementation of a sustainable renewable energy project.

Project Description

Objective

By completing this study, Sealaska wants to determine the feasibility of integrating a new energy system with one or more Southeast Alaska native village communities. Sealaska is approaching this study with a strong sustainability component, understanding that a sustainable business model will encourage long-term community growth and vitality. Each of the three sustainability principles-economic, environmental, and social-matches Sealaska's core community goals and values. If the study proves the project to be feasible, Sealaska plans to identify and evaluate financing and implementation alternatives.

Sealaska believes that this feasibility study will help to better evaluate the best possible energy infrastructure solution to meet community needs and goals. Several energy developers are interested in developing projects on native lands. However, Sealaska would prefer to evaluate renewable energy alternatives and options to ensure that the native communities of southeast Alaska are the major beneficiaries. This feasibility study will allow Sealaska to learn how best to proceed with development, keeping the best interest of these communities in mind.

Scope

The first part of the study will assess local renewable resources and local energy needs. It will also evaluate the potential for: energy exports through power purchase agreements, job creation, economic and environmental benefits, and long-term sustainability of the project. In addition, the study will address how renewable energy development will integrate with community cultural, social, and long-term goals.

The last part of the study will include plans to obtain the necessary financing, power purchase agreements, and transmission or interconnection agreements. Finally, Sealaska will construct a comprehensive business plan detailing how best to obtain financing for the implementation of a sustainable renewable energy project. The plan will align the social, cultural, and community needs and goals with an optimal project solution.

Project Location

Sealaska Native Corporation is a consortium of native villages in the southeastern leg of Alaska along the Pacific coast. The project will focus on member communities that currently rely on diesel generation for most of their power supply and pay excessively high residential power rates. A sample of these communities and known potential renewable energy projects include Hoonah – Gartina Creek, Angoon – Thayer Creek, Kake, Pelican, Tenakee Springs, Elfin Cove, Yakutat, and Klukwan.

Project Status

The project is complete. For more, see the final report and its attachments — Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and Appendix D.

This project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's FY2002 solicitation, "Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands," and started in September 2002. For more information, see the October 2002, November 2003, and October 2004 presentations.

<p><strong>Tribe/Awardee</strong><br />Sealaska Native Corporation</p><p><strong>Location</strong><br />Juneau, AK</p><p><strong>Project Title</strong><br />Comprehensive Renewable Energy Feasibility Study for Sealaska Corporation</p><p><strong>Type of Application</strong><br />Feasibility</p><p><strong>DOE Grant Number</strong><br />DE-FC36-02GO12105</p><p><strong>Project Amounts</strong><br />DOE: $198,280<br />Awardee: $0<br />Total: $198,280</p><p><strong>Project Status</strong><br />Complete</p><p><strong>Project Period of Performance</strong><br />Start: September 2002<br />End: December 2005</p>