KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The crane being used by Kodiak Electric to erect the wind turbines atop Pillar Mountain towers over Cannery Row. Photo by Jay Barrett
Kodiak residents need only look to the top of Pillar Mountain to see that Kodiak Electric Association’s wind power project is on track. A large crane was installed about two weeks ago, and turbines were expected to arrive in Kodiak a day ahead of schedule. KMXT’s Erik Wander has more.
The highly visible crane has been in place atop Pillar Mountain for about two weeks now. KEA president and CEO Darron Scott said full operation of the crane began last week in preparation for installation of the wind turbines, which he said will begin this week.
— (Scott 1 8 sec. "It was installed about … you can see it a good ways.")
The crane, which has been lowered at night thus far in order not to interfere with air traffic, will only be lowered on occasion once the wind turbines arrive and installation begins, according to Scott. He said the work of transporting the turbines up the mountain will begin as early as today (Monday) and that the installation process is likely to take a few weeks.
— (Scott 2 12 sec. "At times it will be lowered … install the units next week.")
Scott said KEA has followed federal regulations in informing the Federal Aviation Administration of the work being done. He said the FAA has issued a notice to airmen or NOTAM, to alert pilots of any possible hazards.
— (Scott 3 10 sec. "We notify the FAA and they … we start to build those too.")
Scott said that in addition to notifying the FAA of the work being conducted atop the mountain, he would like to see curious, would-be onlookers limit their access to the construction area as much as possible, though he understands people’s obvious interest in seeing the turbines for themselves.
— (Scott 4 24 sec. "We’ve got a lot of work going … that’s difficult for us.")
Scott said KEA is running on schedule with the project, if not slightly ahead. He noted that the predicted date for delivery of the turbines had been June 1st. As of Friday, they were expected to arrive on Sunday, a day earlier than originally anticipated. The components will arrive at the Lash dock in Women’s Bay and be transported to town down Rezanof Drive, to Mill Bay Road, to Von Scheele Way and then down Selief Lane. From Selief Lane, they will head up the newly upgraded road to the top of Pillar Mountain. There will be over 20 loads brought up the mountain.
I’m Erik Wander.
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