Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

SUMMARYThe purpose of the proposed project is to provide electrical power forthe Valdez-Glennallen area. Presently the electric power is supplied byale~el generators located botn in Valdez and Glennallen. PrOjectedpopulation growth and the increasing cost of petroleum products willcause increasing demand for electrical power generated from alternativeenergy sourcesThe selected Plan (D) will generate 8 megawatts (MW) with 32,200 megawatthours (MWH) of firm annual energy from the hydroelectric project and 7.4MW with 52.000 MWH of annual energy from ttle pressure reducing turoine(PRT). Other plans include combinations of diesel PRT, andhydroelectric.Adverse environmental impacts associated wltn the selected plan are tothe fisheries resources of Allison Creek. Changes in winter watertemperatures may cause accelerated egg incubation and early emergence ofsalmon fry. An increase of stream temperature of 2° C could cause fryemergence 1 to 2 months earlier, a time when adequate food sources forthe fry do not exist in Port Valdez. Mitigative measures include anadditional tailrace which would divert powerhouse discharge directly intoPort Valdez, thus not chanqing the natural temperature regime of Allisonr:reek.MAJOR CONCLUSIONS ANDFINDINGSNone of the alternatives make significant contributions to preservingmaintaining, or enhancing the cultural ana natural resources of the stuayarea, and therefore. do not meet the criteria of an Environmental Qual ity(EQ) Plan. For this study. Plan B, the diesel ana pressure reducingtUrLJlne alternative, has been established a~ the Least EnvironmentallyDamaging (LED) Plan.Th~ National Economic Development (NED) Plan addresses the planningobjectives which maximize net economic oenefits. Plan D, Allison LakeHydrupower and the PRT, would provide the "lost power output, and coupledwith the increasing costs of petroleum products, this alternative may beconsidered to be the NED Plan when viewed on an overall oasis.A Section 404(b) (1) evaluation for the proposed project is included inAppendlx E. Water quality requirements set forth under the Clean WaterAct will be met through Section 404(r) exemption criteria.All the alternatives fulfill Federal, State, and local legal requirementsand comply with the requirements of all applicable environmentallaws, executive orders, and policies.iii