June 22, 2011
By Heidi Bohi for Alaska Business Monthly (June 2011) You know you’re from Fairbanks if you’ve driven own the road and seen a sign that says “Mushers Crossing.” You know you’re from Fairbanks if the 365-mile trip to Anchorage is a weekend trip. You know you’re from Fairbanks if 68 percent of your energy budget [...] Read More
June 22, 2011
From RenewableEnergyWorld.com: When Google throws its considerable influence into a new arena, people tend to notice. When that influence comes with $280 million, well, people may start to act. That’s what the iconic Internet giant hopes is the result of its new partnership with SolarCity. Google has now entered the residential solar industry with its [...] Read More
June 22, 2011
By Jennifer Gibbins of the Cordova Times: Departing from the Cordova harbor via charter vessel, approximately 100 guests headed out to the Cordova Humpback Creek hydro facility for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on June 11, the culmination of a five-year, $21 million rebuild effort. The project was necessary following two floods in 2006 [...] Read More
June 21, 2011
It’s true. Read this report from Rich Seifert of the University of Alaska’s Cooperative Extension Service on three beautiful and fascinating homes in Fairbanks that are using masonry stoves, extra insulation, passive design and more techniques to reduce their energy use. There’s lots to read here and great pictures. Download the report here (.pdf) Read More
June 21, 2011
The Alaska Center for Energy and Power in conjunction with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center just released a report entitled “Ground Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates” that covers the current state of the Alaska industry, a review of literature, preliminary economic assessment and recommendations for future research. This is the most comprehensive report [...] Read More
June 17, 2011
By Tim Bradner of Alaska Journal of Commerce: Chugach Electric Association’s board has given approval for the electric co-op to purchase wind power from Cook Inlet Region Inc.’s proposed Fire Island wind project, a commitment that will allow the Anchorage-based Alaska Native corporation to proceed with construction. For the near-term, electricity generated with wind power [...] Read More
June 17, 2011
Robert Woolsey, KCAW-Radio:SITKA, ALASKA (2011-06-16) As communities brace to see which of this year’s state capital projects survive the governor’s veto pen, a proposed energy development on Chichagof Island is already generating controversy. Pegmatite Mountain is a geothermal site on the island. While it’s not yet known how much hot water there is, and how [...] Read More
June 16, 2011
Anchorage Daily News editorial on Fire Island Wind: If there’s a lesson in the Fire Island wind project in progress, it’s that renewable energy won’t be a snap. Right now it looks like CIRI’s showcase project just off the western tip of Anchorage is a go, but at one-third of its original design. The Native [...] Read More
June 15, 2011
Exciting news today about Fire Island Wind Project in Anchorage: Chugach Electric Association is expected to sign a Power Purchase Agreement today to buy power from the project (See story below). This wind power will cost us more in the short term, but over the long term the wind will be cheaper as natural gas [...] Read More
June 14, 2011
Trend is welcomed by speakers from rural Alaska by Margaret Bauman of Alaska Newspapers mbauman@alaskanewspapers.com Talk about a makeover that makes a body feel good and puts cash in the pocket! Struggling construction economy or not, the momentum for green buildings is growing, because they are good for people and good for business, says Jerry [...] Read More
