In comments to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, RDC urged the state to renew the operating permit for the Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) Healy Power Plant.
The Healy Clean Coal Plant (HCCP) is a 50-megawatt coal-fired plant that would supply electricity to Interior Alaska residents. The plant has been fully permitted and during startup operations, met or exceeded environmental performance standards. Infrastructure, including the existing plant, transmission lines, and a coal mine in the proximity, is already in place, allowing the project to move forward with no additional environmental impact.
“HCCP has the ability to reduce GVEA members’ electricity bills by 20 percent,” noted RDC Projects Coordinator Deantha Crockett. “This would bring welcome relief to Interior Alaska, which faces long periods of extreme temperatures and soaring energy prices.”
BOEMRE releases SEIS on Chukchi lease sale
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement has released a final version of its supplementary environmental impact statement for the February 2008 Chukchi Sea lease sale. The agency wants pubic comments by September 26 on whether to affirm, modify or cancel the sale. To submit comments, go to: http://www.regulations.gov
Denali Park Plan open for comment
The Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan is available for review and comment through September 30.
RDC supports increased access to Alaska’s parks, allowing visitors and residents alike an opportunity to see all Alaska has to offer.
RDC Members can view the Park Service Plan and proposed alternatives at http://planning.nps.gov.
RDC Conference set for November 16-17
The RDC 32nd Annual Alaska Resources Conference is set for Wednesday and Thursday, November 16-17 at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage.
The conference will provide timely updates on projects and challenges, and consider implications of state and federal policies on Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, and other resource development sectors. The conference will also feature the latest forecasts and updates on Alaska’s main industries, as well as how companies are navigating the current economic environment.
More than 30 speakers are expected to present. More than 1,000 people are expected to register and attend Alaska’s most established and highest profile resource development forum of the year. Attendees will include decision-makers from across all resource industries, support sectors, and Native corporations, federal, state and local government agencies, as well as students and educators.
For registration and sponsorship information, please visit RDC online at akrdc.org or call 907-276-0700.
Groups Seeks protection for wolf subspecies
The Center for Biological Diversity and Greenpeace want special protection for a subspecies of gray wolf found in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
The environmental groups say the Alexander Archipelago wolf is threatened by logging and road building in the nation’s largest national forest.
The groups have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection for the wolf. The Center for Biological Diversity claims the wolf’s population is declining, but no surveys have been done since the 1990s.
If the wolf is listed under the ESA, local communities, logging, mining, and tourism could be impacted by subsequent critical habitat designations which would put yet additional restrictions on development activities.
Under the current forest management plan, at least 83 percent of the current old-growth in the forest will remain intact 200 years from now. Since 1907, a little over 400,000 acres have been logged in the 18.8 million acre forest. Overall, 10 million acres of the Tongass are forested.
RDC meets with Interior Secretary Salazar and NOAA Administrator Lubchenco
RDC Board members participated in a roundtable discussion last month with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Alaska energy development. The Anchorage meeting was hosted by Senator Mark Begich and included Senator Jack Reed and Deputy Secretary David Hayes.
Salazar’s visit focused on developing a path forward for safe and responsible development of Alaska’s energy resources, including those in the Outer Continental Shelf off the North Slope.
“Alaska is blessed with natural resources and raw beauty that are unmatched,” Salazar said. “This trip has been an invaluable opportunity to see first-hand about the opportunities and challenges that come with energy development in this unique place. I am confident that, guided by science, innovation and the voices of the Alaska Natives and local communities, we can safely and responsibly harness Alaska’s enormous energy potential while also protecting its land, water, and wildlife for future generations of Americans.”
RDC President Tom Maloney pointed out that the number one issue facing Alaska is the declining throughput in the oil pipeline, the lifeblood of Alaska’s economy. Other board members focused on a number of issues, including regulatory and permitting challenges, ongoing litigation to block energy development, and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act issues.
In late August, RDC board members and others also met with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The meeting was called by Senator Begich to discuss permitting and regulatory issues the oil and gas industry is facing in Cook Inlet in the context of beluga whale critical habitat designations. Both Cook Inlet explorers and producers were included in the discussion.
More than 3,000 square miles of Cook Inlet have been designated critical habitat, an action which could put at risk billions of dollars in future projects and cost Southcentral Alaska residents and companies hundreds of millions of dollars to comply with new regulations.
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