Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

INTRODUCTIONDue to continued growth and incre~sing electrical energy costs in theValdez-Glennallen area, the need for development of renewable electricalresources is oecoming imperative. The current dependence on diesel-firedgeneration and its associated cost escalation is taking a larger proportionof personal income each year.Increased demand due to an expanding population associated with theplanned petrochemical plant in Valdez (ALPETCO), the port facilities inValdez, and exploratory oil drilling in the Glennallen area, dictate theneed for expanded energy production. The need to obtain this energy fromeither renewable or less expensive resources is critical to the economicand social well-being of the area. Expansion of diesel-fired generation,which currently accounts for all commercial electricity produced in thestudy area, Inay prove questionable at a time when future availability andprice are doubtful.)TUDY AUTHORITYOn 18 January 1972 the Committee on Puolic Works of the United StatesSenate adopted a resolution requesting a review of the feasibility ofproviding hydropower to the southcentral railbelt area. The resolutionis quoted as follows:That the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Haroors created underthe provisions of Section 3 of the River and Harbor Act approvedJune 13, 1902, be, and is hereoy requested to review the reportsof the Chief of Engineers on: Cook Inlet and Tributaries,Alaska, puolished as House Document Number 34, Eighty-fifthCongress; Copper River and Gulf Coast, Alaska, published as HouseDocument Number 182, Eighty-third Congress; Tanana River Basin,Alaska, pUblished as House Document Number 137, Eighty-fourthCongress; Yukon and Kuskokwim River Basins, Alaska, pUblished asHouse Document Number 218, Eighty-eighth Congress; and other pertinentreports with a view to determining whether any modificationsof the recommendations contained therein are advisable atthe present time, with particular reference to the Susitna Riverhydroelectric power development system, including the DevilCanyon Project and any competitive alternatives thereto, for theprovision of power to the Southcentral Railbelt area of Alaska.This interim feasibility report is in partial response to theabove resolution.SCOPE OFTHE STUDYThis study was originally intended to determine the energy needs, andthe alternatives available to meet those needs for the Valdez area.However, since the completion of the initial evaluation of alternativesin April 1978, which identified Solomon Gulch and Allison Lake as the twoDest alternatives, a number of changes have taken place.