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Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

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IIHf{ODUCTIONThis section is devoted to a detailed description of <strong>the</strong> region's presentutility system. Topics will include <strong>the</strong> community's current stock ofdiesel-fired units, <strong>the</strong> cost of fuel <strong>and</strong> electricity generation, industrialversus residential use, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> historical dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>for</strong> power. Also included isa brief examination of ongoing <strong>and</strong> probable additions to <strong>the</strong> system. Finally,<strong>the</strong> recent projections of future power dem<strong>and</strong> are reviewed. The selected<strong>for</strong>ecast is <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>for</strong> benefit derivation as shown in Appendix C - EconomicEvaluation.VALDEZ SYSTEM, The <strong>Valdez</strong> system came into existence following <strong>the</strong> March 27, 1964earthquake which demolished <strong>the</strong> town. Studies following <strong>the</strong> quake determinedthat <strong>the</strong> townsite should be ab<strong>and</strong>oned. A new <strong>Valdez</strong> was built at a locationapproximately 5 miles west of <strong>the</strong> original townsite.The <strong>Valdez</strong> Light, <strong>Power</strong> <strong>and</strong> Telephone Company served <strong>the</strong> <strong>Valdez</strong> area priorto <strong>the</strong> earthquake. The generating <strong>and</strong> distribution facilities of this companywere purchased by <strong>the</strong> Urban Renewal Agency which, in turn, sold <strong>the</strong> facilitiesto <strong>Copper</strong> Valley Electric Association. The old facilities were obsolete, inpoor condition <strong>and</strong> were used only until new facilities were operable.The <strong>Copper</strong> Valley Electric Association obtained a Certificate ofConvenience from <strong>the</strong> State of Alaska <strong>and</strong> a franchise from <strong>the</strong> new city of<strong>Valdez</strong> to own <strong>and</strong> operate <strong>the</strong> electric system serving <strong>the</strong> new <strong>Valdez</strong>. TheCertificate of Convenience covers <strong>the</strong> general area <strong>and</strong> is not confined to <strong>the</strong>limits of <strong>the</strong> new townsite.The <strong>Valdez</strong> system presently serves approximately 1,153 consumers over about21 miles of distribution lines. The system serves <strong>the</strong> new city of <strong>Valdez</strong>, <strong>the</strong>old <strong>Valdez</strong> area <strong>and</strong> consumers from old <strong>Valdez</strong> to <strong>the</strong> airport area <strong>and</strong> 10 mileseast of old <strong>Valdez</strong> along t~e Richardson Highway.The existing powerplant contains <strong>the</strong> following diesel <strong>and</strong> gas turbine units:3 - 600 kW, 720 rpm, Fairbanks Morse (1967) 1,800 kW1 - 1,928 kW, 400 rpm, Enterprise (1972) 1,928 kW1 - 965 kW, 360 rpm, Enterprise (1975) 965 kW1 - 2,620 kW, 450 rpm, Enterprise (1975) 2,620 kW1 - 2,800 kW, gas turbine (1976) 2,800 kWTotal Installed Capacity10,113 kWB-1

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