Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Power Requirement Study (excerpt)GLENNALLENRural ResidentialRural residential consumers in the Glennallen area consist primarilyof single family units. Significant consumer growth was experienced inthis class of consumer during the 1974 to 1976 period due to constructionactivity related to the A1yeska Pipeline construction. Beginning in 1977and 1978, growth continued in the number of rural residential consumersbut at a much slower rate than experienced during pipeline construction.This was due to a return to an economy more normal to the area. Thenumber of consumers has not experienced a decline subsequent to thecompletion of the pipeline. It is expected that any consumers whichwould have departed the area have already done so. Many of the transientworkers (workers from outside the State of Alaska not bringing theirfamilies during pipeline construction) were housed in the Glennallen Camp(large power load) and would not appear in rural residential statistics.In projecting future growth in this class, it is expected that apreconstruct ion (1968-1974) growth rate will be followed. There isenough economic activity in the Glennallen area to assume this type ofgrowth. It is expected that the usage will, after several years ofdecline, begin a steady upward climb due to a return to more normaltemperatures for this area. The Glennallen area experienced rather warmweather in 1976-1978. Another item which may affect residential usage isthe possibility of installation of electric hot-water heaters as the costof propane gas increases.Small CommercialThe small commercial class consists of primarily small businesseswhich provide specific services to the area residents such as food,hardware, lumber, etc. The growth of small commercial consumers has seena rather consistent pattern since 1968 with the exception of a sharpincrease during 1976 and 1977. From all available information, itappears that the Glennallen area will not suffer an economic letdown nowthat the pipeline is completed and growth of small commercial consumerswill continue. Although average monthly usage has shown a leveling trendsince 1975, this is expected to increase as more severe winter weatherconditi~ns are anticipated and as the growth rate returns to a moreconsistent level.Street LightsIt was basically assumed that the number of street lights woulddouble over a lO-year period as normal growth occurred within the area.The average usage per installation is expected to remain at approximatelythe same number of hours each year.B-21