KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
With other stakeholders in the Four Dam Pool, which stretches from Kodiak to the Copper Valley to the Southeast Panhandle, approving the break up of the power agency, Kodiak Electric Association is seeking federal approval to take over the Terror Lake generator.
The comment period is open until mid December, after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published notice of the transfer on November 19th.
Kodiak Electric wants to purchase the Terror Lake hydro plant from the Four Dam Pool to use it as a back up to the planned wind turbines scheduled to be erected on Pillar Mountain next year. KEA’s contract with the Four Dam Pool requires it to purchase electricity generated from Terror Lake before using other sources, and the co-op would rather use the electricity from the windmills first, and use the steadier power flow from the dam as needed.
Just two weeks ago the Petersburg city council gave its approval of the break-up of the Four Dam Pool. The proposed plan would have Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan go in on a new energy agency to manage the hydro projects at the south end of the Panhandle with a 57-mile interie between the communities. The Copper Valley Electric Association would buy the Solomon Gulch hydro plant.
The United States Department of Agriculture has loaned KEA 38-million-dollars for the purchase of Terror Lake.
