Alaska Electric Light and Power is planning to offer diesel-fired electricity to Greens Creek mine if the mine’s backup generators can’t provide enough electricity and hydroelectricity is unavailable.
The plan was revealed in filings published Wednesday by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
Since 2005, AEL&P has had an “interruptible” agreement with Greens Creek to provide hydroelectric power if enough is available. If low water levels or demand from AEL&P’s other customers means the company can’t produce enough power for Greens Creek, the mine can be dropped from the electric grid without penalty.
In a separate notice filed Wednesday, AEL&P announced an extension to its interruptible power agreement with Princess Cruise Lines. That agreement, enacted in 2001, is set to expire May 14 but would be extended through 2021.
Both plans must be approved by the RCA before becoming effective. To email a public comment on the proposal or see the complete plan, visit https://rca.alaska.gov.
