In the November issue I noted that the price of oil (per barrel) appeared to stabilize at the $60 per barrel rate. Once again I was wrong, as the average price since then have increased to $65 per barrel. We are now seeing the effects on the community from this summers fuel cost increase. Families have seen significant increases in their monthly fuel bills, fuel companies are seeing higher receivables and landlords are spending more and more on heating fuel. Now Mother Nature decided to give us winter temperatures well below normal. Because people are spending more on fuel this winter, there is less money available for other purchases. How many have dipped into saving or are financing these cost increases via the credit card, the fact remains they have to be paid.
The high cost of energy has not gone unnoticed during this session of the Alaska State legislature. There are a number of bills be discussed ranging from re-instating revenue sharing to energy dividends. These are meant to ease the 'bleeding' but not cure the problem. Granted there is no easy cure, but one has to start somewhere.
We have set April 4-6th as the date of our Energy Summit. We felt a two to three day Summit would be needed to address all the issues and options. Tentatively, the Summit will be broken down into two specific segments, 'big picture projects' and 'individual projects'.
DAY ONE:.. Would be dedicated to the 'big picture projects' with a goal to wean the community from diesel as our primary energy source, which could include power generation and home heating. Our speakers list will include experts in the fields of:
- Natural Gas (Norton Basin, State and Federal waters)
- Geothermal (Pilgrim Hot Springs and others)
- Nuclear (Similar to the City of Galena)
- Hydrogen
- Wind
- Trash fired steam turbine (burn City trash & heat school?)
- Others & combinations or each
- Funding & financing
These experts will be called upon to help us determine which direction to take (if any) in developing these resources economically. Since these 'big picture' options could take years and millions of dollars to develop, a second day (possible third) would be dedicated to what technology is available to the individual.
DAY TWO:.. Dedicated to what an individual or business can do to lower their energy costs. What new technology is out for the individual? We will be inviting experts in the areas of:
- Wind
- Hydrogen
- Solar
- Insulation/windows
- Mini - Hydro
- Combinations of any/all
For an example, could Bering Air or Hageland Aviation supplement their hanger heating via solar panels? Their hangers have radiant heat systems which could lend itself to solar hot water/radiant floor heating.
Vance Grishkowsky has operated his remote Unalakeet cabins with a mix of solar and wind energy for the past seven years. In addition, he uses less than 15 gallon of gas per year on his generators. How does he do this? Could this work for your home or cabin? Jim Stimpfle has information on a unit that can convert your home, vehicle and boat to hydrogen. How can this be done? These are a sample of what we expect to bring to this Energy Summit. We have also requested State lenders, both private and governmental to provide a long term, low interest financing options as part of the days topics.
More information will be forthcoming as we develop our agenda. If you have any suggestions or recommendation as to speakers or any other info, please let us know at the Chamber office.
MITCH ERICKSON