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ENERGY OPINION STORIES

My turn: AEL&P deserves thank you
web-posted Friday, May 16, 2008
I don't understand the outcry against Alaska Electric Light & Power over the Snettisham problem. One major failure in 35 years isn't negligence; it's outstanding. So is having sufficient local generation to power the entire city. Most cities go dark when the long lines fail.
Letter: Appreciate Juneau's inexpensive power
web-posted Friday, May 16, 2008
I am visiting from Hawaii and see a lot of complaining about Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. Does anyone appreciate the inexpensive electric you had before the downed power lines?
Letter: Juneau should not take AEL&P's burden
web-posted Friday, May 16, 2008
The power line was constructed in a known avalanche paths, rather than going around the avalanche paths; they, whoever constructed the power line, chose to place towers in the paths of the avalanches with the obvious expectation that it would be more cost effective to repair rather than avoid the avalanches.
Letter: Blame man, AEL&P
web-posted Thursday, May 15, 2008
Is God bored in heaven? Is he angry? I don't think so.
Column: We're all in this crisis together
web-posted Thursday, May 15, 2008
The word "disaster" has been part of our everyday vocabulary for the past four weeks.
More Energy News: Energy Costs | Energy Conservation | AEL&P | Government Relief | Opinions

VIDEO

Q&A with AEL&P
05-01-08
AEL&P answers questions from members of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor's Message
Energy conservation tips
On the street: How are you saving electricity?

More Energy Videos

ENERGY OPINION STORIES

State editorial: Stimulus checks should make us think harder about conserving
web-posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion:
Letter: AEL&P workers are our neighbors
web-posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Does the community really benefit from the toxic complaints about Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. that have been published recently in the Empire?
Letter: Do we really need the street lights on?
web-posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008
So, I look at my neighborhood at 9 p.m. It's almost dark out. Not a light showing from any of my neighbors as far as my eyes can see. What must they be doing in such a dark existense? Then I look at the city's street lights. They are shining brightly!
Alaska editorial: No sympathy for hardship in Juneau
web-posted Monday, May 12, 2008
The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:
My turn: Why AEL&P is rebuilding above ground
web-posted Monday, May 12, 2008
On Wednesday, April 16, avalanches destroyed three structures and damaged two others on the Snettisham transmission line, severing the connection to Juneau's main power supply. After assessing the damage, Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. began making plans for restoring service from Snettisham.
Letter: We must unite as a community
web-posted Sunday, May 11, 2008
I've seen and heard a lot of anti-Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. comments over the last couple of weeks, and I'm a little disappointed with the string-'em-high attitude coming out of some of the people in this town.
Letter: Juneau sends message in crisis
web-posted Sunday, May 11, 2008
Alaskans are no strangers to crises. In our short history we have faced many. But thanks to our resourcefulness and our commitment to community, we have always endured.
My turn: Clothespins from an angel
web-posted Sunday, May 11, 2008
Given the recent situation of the "power crisis" in Juneau I thought I would share a positive story.
Empire editorial: City faces partially declared disaster
web-posted Sunday, May 11, 2008
As we ponder the future of Juneau's economy, it's useful to think of the avalanches as a metaphor.
Letter: Act like a community while in a crisis
web-posted Friday, May 9, 2008
We are all in this energy crisis together.
My turn: A bright idea: We need more protection
web-posted Thursday, May 8, 2008
I have lots of time to think when, after dinner, I climb into bed for warmth and try to consume less electricity by not using light bulbs and the television.
Letter: Without competition, funny things happen
web-posted Thursday, May 8, 2008
The consumer is inclined to purchase from whomever delivers a commodity at the lowest price.
Letter: To spur change, fight the power provider
web-posted Thursday, May 8, 2008
As the front-page article in Sunday's Empire told us, Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. leaders will change nothing as a result of its negligence in the Snettisham crisis.
Letter: In protest of recent electric rate hikes
web-posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008
It is interesting that the corporate heads of Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. continue to get their high salaries and we the consumer have to pay them for their mismanagement of our power.
Letter: Don't rush to judge power company
web-posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The ease with which several recent letter writers vilify Juneau's utility company in their need to assign blame for the current electric crisis troubles me. In such times, those who desire positive change should work together for the common good rather than attack the easiest target.
My turn: Feeling batty and conserving power
web-posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008
With everyone cutting back on wattage, aren't you feeling a little batty? Seems everywhere I go, businesses and people are doing what they can to help out - and wouldn't you know, just when my eyesight seems to be failing, little by little.
My turn: Juneau needs state's help during crisis
web-posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The recent decision by the Gov. Sarah Palin's Disaster Policy Cabinet should not be the final word regarding the state of Alaska providing assistance to the community of Juneau and all Juneau residents to help offset the increase in electrical costs brought about by the need to switch from hydroelectric to diesel power generation of electricity.
Letter: Disaster caused by neglect, not nature
web-posted Monday, May 5, 2008
Has Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. ever thought about doing "controlled avalanches" to keep disasters from happening? Knowing the area is prone to mud slides and avalanches, it would only be responsible business management to monitor the area for these problems and act accordingly.
Letter: AEL&P cables should go underground
web-posted Monday, May 5, 2008
Thumbs up to our local merchant, Superbear, who is noticeably reducing its light consumption.
Empire editorial: In time of hardship, find ways to help
web-posted Sunday, May 04, 2008
More than two weeks after avalanches cut Juneau off from its primary source of cheap electricity, here's how we're handling the resulting energy crisis as a community:
My turn: All Alaskans need immediate equalization of energy costs
web-posted Sunday, May 04, 2008
Like a man dying of thirst in the middle of the ocean, Alaskans are adrift in a sea of state cash while our citizens drown in a tidal wave of unjustified costs for heating oil and electricity for homes and businesses.
My turn: Cut back on electricity use to save money, community
web-posted Sunday, May 04, 2008
This is serious.The current energy situation is a lot more serious than a matter of turning off lights and putting up a clothesline, and a lot more serious than the city's shortening library hours and shutting down an escalator.
Letter: We should demand answers from state
web-posted Sunday, May 04, 2008
Now that the Palin administration has washed its hands of the Snettisham disaster, we the ratepayers should insist that our Juneau Assembly as well as our local delegation determine why it is that the state agency that owns Snettisham is not doing more to correct the problem and to come up with state funds to do it with.
Letter: AEL&P's owners should chip in
web-posted Sunday, May 04, 2008
According to the state of Alaska Corporation, Business and Professional Licensing, Alaska Electric Light & Power does business under the name of Alaska Energy and Resource Company. The stockholders are William A. Corbus, who has 47 percent; Stanford University, which has 11 percent; Leland Stanford University, which has 11 percent; National Financial Service, which has six percent; G. Barkley Corbus, of Colorado, who has nine percent; and Clay Corbus, of San Francisco, who has five percent. Anyone who has less than five percent of the stock was not listed.
Letter: Look into owner of Snettisham plant
web-posted Friday, May 2, 2008
After doing a little research, I found out that Snettisham is owned by Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority.
Letter: Look to ENRON and Calif. energy scandal
web-posted Thursday, May 1, 2008
Alaska is a state widely known for its scenic grandeur and abundant wealth of natural resources. Of these natural resources, Alaska is known for its oil and in particular, its oil potential.
Letter: Writing angry letter by candlelight
web-posted Thursday, May 1, 2008
So here I am writing angry letters to the editor by candlelight, something that I thought wouldn't happen until much later in life. Waiting two months to fix those towers is going to cost how much? We are talking $50 million.
Letter: Oppose rate increases and make history
web-posted Thursday, May 1, 2008
Having lived in Juneau for several years before returning home to the East Coast, I was outraged to read about the recent course of events following the destruction of a large portion of power lines on April 16, and the city's response to this situation.
Letter: Use Rainy Day Fund in energy crisis
web-posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008
In the 1990s the Juneau Assembly established a special fund called the Rainy Day Fund. The purpose at the time was to build up a reserve that could be used to cover unexpected financial emergencies.
Letter: AEL&P a good community citizen
web-posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The ongoing energy crisis in Juneau brings a variety of negative emotions to the surface that have crept into the blogs. Before the anger grows to silly proportions, I'd like to offer a layman's point of view to ponder.
Letter: AEL&P needs to be transparent
web-posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Gregg Erickson wrote an excellent column regarding possible "overcompensation" to AEL&P (Sunday's Juneau Empire). I appreciate the effort he took to provide those of us who are not economists with a "heads up" regarding the compensation that might go to the power company.
Letter: Snettisham powerline should be submarine
web-posted Monday, April 28, 2008
One aspect of the Snettisham powerline debacle which has not been publicly addressed is the obvious permanent solution: replacement of overland transmission lines with a submarine cable.
My turn: New power rates set to overcollect
web-posted Sunday, April 27, 2008
Economic shocks make for a big story, and exaggerated descriptions of potential economic impacts are often found in such stories. Loss of Juneau's connection to low-cost power from the Snettisham hydro project was no exception.
Letter: Street lights on during the day
web-posted Sunday, April 27, 2008
During a recent jog on Glacier Highway, I looked up to the sky expecting to see only sunlight.
Letter: AEL&P should have had insurance
web-posted Friday, April 25, 2008
I am writing in concern about the electricity bill increase.

I feel that Alaska Electric Light & Power should have had insurance on those towers. All of us have to have car insurance, home insurance, flood insurance, renter's insurance, etc.

Letter: Electric woes? Try sailboat showers
web-posted Thursday, April 24, 2008
The avalanche that wiped out Juneau's hydro power has unleashed a new avalanche - of ideas for conserving our electric use.
Letter: Speculation at root of energy woes
web-posted Thursday, April 24, 2008
Two related things in Tuesday's Juneau Empire caught my attention.

The first was the Associated Press article, "Retail gas hits record $3.50 as oil marches higher," in which the writer said, "Gasoline and diesel prices are expected to keep climbing as they trace the path of crude. Oil prices are charging along with a host of commodities that are enticing speculators seeking hedges against a weakening dollar."

My turn: We're all in this together
web-posted Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The April 16 avalanches have affected every family, business and government agency in Juneau. We are already coping with the consequences of this event - trying to conserve energy - as we prepare for the direct and indirect financial impacts to our household and working place budgets.
Letter: Share energy-saving ideas with the Empire
web-posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I understand that Alaska Electric Light & Power recently installed underwater power lines to Hoonah and Greens Creek. Could someone please explain why Juneau has to receive electricity with above-ground power lines (that keep failing) and there seems to be no problem sending electricity beyond Juneau with underwater cables.
Letter: Might go camping down south
web-posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I would like to add a little reality to the suggestions that were provided to the public by the spokesperson for Alaska Electric Light & Power.
Empire editorial: Juneau can work together to tackle the energy crisis
web-posted Sunday, April 20, 2008
Juneau faces a daunting challenge in the months ahead as the cost of elec-tricity skyrockets nearly 500 percent in the wake of Wednesday's avalanche that cut Alaska's capital off from its main power source.

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Should the city offer a $3 million interest-free loan to AEL&P?
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ENERGY SCORE CARD
Date Energy (MWh) Diesel (gallons)
April 16 948 84,147
April 17 912 79,940
April 18 856 72,985
April 19 795 61,555
April 20 746 56,581
April 21 743 58,490
April 22 719 55,766
April 23 689 51,680
April 24 695 54,148
April 25 697 56,350
April 26 677 55,062
April 27 667 54,046
April 28 712 56,553
April 29 694 55,042
April 30 683 54,773
May 1 679 54,361
May 2 661 52,522
May 3 653 50,272
May 4 665 48,575
May 5 671 46,711
May 6 660 46,355
May 7 659 47,504
May 8 645 46,750
May 9 625 45,160
May 10 602 42,800
May 11 604 42,970

Source: Alaska Electric Light & Power.

ENERGY WEB LINKS

• AEL&P's Energy Page

• CBJ's Energy Page

• U.S. Department of Energy

• Energy checklist from Energyhog.org

VIDEO
On the street: How are you saving electricity?
04-23-08
Locals and business owners are asked how they are cutting back to save on their upcoming electrical bills. | by Abby Lowell
ENERGY SAVING TIPS
The following are some tips to conserve electricity:

• Drop water heater temperatures.

• Replace rain-type showerheads with more efficient models.

• Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs - especially in fixtures that operate more than two hours a day. They cost more initially, but use 75 percent less electricity and last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

• Watch less TV.

• Turn off anything you're not using.

• Keep the lids on pots when cooking.

• Use space heaters to heat only the rooms you're in, rather than a central system that heats the whole house.
• Turn off the heat when you're not home.

• Test the tightness of door seals on refrigerators and freezers. If a seal doesn't tightly hold a dollar bill when closed, it's probably time to adjust or replace the gasket.

• For greatest efficiency, set refrigerators at 40 degrees and freezers at 0 degrees.

Sources: www.otpco.com and energyhog.org.



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