Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

The following is an excerpt from the Power Requirements Study, Alaska18 Copper Valley, Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc., Glennallen,Alaska, March 1979.Rural ResidentialVALDEZIncluded in this consumer classification are single and multi-familydwelling units, and approximately six trailer courts. The number ofrural residential consumers in Valdez declined substantially during 1977and moderately during 1978. A further moderate decline may occur in1979. However, this trend is expected to stabilize and gradually reverseitself. According to information from Mr. Cal Dauel, State Economist,and other available information it appears that most individuals whocould be expected to leave the Valdez area due to completion of thepipeline facilities, have in fact left. In estimating future growth ofresidential consumers, it was assumed that the average number ofconsumers in 1979 and 1980 would remain at approximately the 1978 level.After 1980, additional growth would occur due to increased activity inshipping and oil transportation. A gradual increase in the number ofconsumers is also expected as the Fluor Staff Housing Units aretransferred to private ownership - 28 were transferred in 1978 and 118a~e projected in 1979-1980. Average usage is also expected to reverseits downward trend as the possibility of continued mild winter conditionsappears remote.Small CommercialThe historical data indicates a significant increase in the number ofconsumers and average monthly usage during the period 1973 through 1977.This is attributed to a deficiency of small commercial establishmentsprior to pipeline construction. Since completion of the pipeline andrelated terminal facilities, this class of consumer has not shown asignifjcant decrease although kWh usage has dropped. There are severalreasons for the decreased consumption, including above average wintertemperature in 1976 and 1977 and fewer hours of operation during the dayfor small commercial establishments such as restaurants, fast foodoutlets, etc.It was assumed that a deficiency of small commercial establishmentsexisted prior to the pipeline activity and the services which wereprovided during the construction era will remain and continue to grow ata rate at least comparable to that of prepipeline activity.Public BuildingsThis class of consumer consists of schools, churches, and governmentbuildings. There has been a gradual increase in the number of consumerssince 1969 although there were years of static growth. Public buildingconsumers and average usage was projected to increase as consumer demandsfor more and better services, comparable to those normally found in8-19