Renewable Energy

• Phase 1 of the proposed Fire Island Wind Project would generate enough electricity to power up to 18,000 Anchorage homes.
• The long-term cost of wind-generated electricity is cheaper and more predictable than fossil-fuel powered sources.
• Wind Power has zero fuel costs. Once the turbines are in place, the ongoing cost to consumers is stable and predictable, which can help reduce the volatility of our electricity costs.
• Wind power generation reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts of fossil fuel-based generation.

• The wind resource at Fire Island has been proven, and the project economics are competitive with other sources of power.

• Wind turbine technology has improved dramatically, making wind projects much more efficient and less harmful to birds.

• Anchorage can utilize this project to develop expertise in a booming industry.

• The viewshed and wildlife impacts of a wind farm at Fire Island are minimal. The turbines would be barely visible from Anchorage.

• Fire Island Wind Project will help overcome Alaska’s long-term energy, economic and environmental challenges.
• Fire Island is the most immediately feasible, large-scale renewable energy project in Alaska.

Chugach Electric, ML&P, Homer Electric, and Golden Valley Electric are working with CIRI (Cook Inlet Regional Corporation) to develop a wind project at Fire Island. Promising cost feasibility studies have shown that wind energy can help stabilize power costs for consumers and provide highly competitive rates over a 40-year project lifespan.

The project has the potential to generate hundreds of construction jobs, and once completed, the site would require a crew of skilled workers to operate. Additionally, the site is ideal for training people from all over Alaska who are interested in bringing wind online in their communities.

The primary hurdle for the project is higher-than-usual infrastructure costs that are required- there are no major improvements on Fire Island now (like a barge dock and roads), and the facility will have to be connected to the mainland via an undersea cable. The tranmission lines now have the $25 million appropriation from the State, however, there are still other major up front costs can be underwritten with state and federal support, but policy-makers need to hear from the public to make that happen. And that’s where you can help.

Take Action:

Write a letter supporting wind power today!

The existence of Federal Aviation Administration radar at Fire Island requires careful planning of the proposed wind turbine project to ensure safe operation of air traffic in the area. It has been incorrectly reported that wind will affect radar accuracy. However, all stakeholers are actively working to redesign the radar so that it will not be affected by wind turbines. Let's take a step towards reducing the human role in global warming by supporting the cutting edge Fire Island Wind Power project.

 

Take action by writing a short letter to the Anchorage Daily News in support of the Fire Island Wind Power Project.

To send a letter, email it to letters@adn.com

Letters must be 225 words or less, and shorter letters work best.
Stick to the facts and your own personal reasons for writing. A letter from the heart always earns the readers consideration.

Contact your Politicians and Local Utility

Another way to take action is to send an email or call the following people with a simple message: I support wind energy at Fire Island!

Senator Lisa Murkowski

Chugach Electric Association Board President

Municipal Light and Power

And don’t forget your legislator! Find your Legislator here.