Tuesday, September 11, 2012

HEA Members Forum Update

Regular HEA/AEEC Meetings
Tuesday, September 11, 2012

10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Location: Starting this month meetings take place in the Kenai Offices at 280 Airport Way. Video conferencing is available in the Homer Offices at 3977 Lake Street, 907-235-8551. Draft agendas are now available on the HEA website athttp://www.homerelectric.com/BoardofDirectorsElections/BoardMeetingInformation/Agendas/tabid/220/Default.aspx. There are sometimes last minute changes in scheduling, so check the website.

HEA Area Wide MeetingsGeneral Manager Brad Janorschke will provide a short overview of present HEA issues. Bring your comments and questions. There will be complementary food and prize drawings.

•    September 12 at Seldovia Community Center -- noon to 1:30 PM
•    September 25 in Ninilchik Fair Grounds -- 5:30 PM 
•    September 26 at Chapman School in Anchor Point -- 5:30 PM
•    September 27 at the Funny River Community Center -- 5:30 PM
•    October 3 at the Sterling Senior Center -- 5:30 PM
•    October 4 at the Nikiski Community & Recreation Center -- 5:30 PM
Proposed New Line Extension Policy
Last fall HEA filed a line extension tariff revision with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. It was withdrawn due to scheduling problems but will be resubmitted next month (October 1). At the August 14 HEA/AEEC meetings there was some discussion over whether to resubmit the original plan or make modifications based upon HEA member comments. Should the Board wish to make modifications it will be discussed at Tuesday's Finance Committee meeting (see above meeting times). The topic is not on the meeting agenda, however. If the original plan is approved, there will be substantial changes in costs and conditions for installing some types of new electric service (summary attached). 
Proposed Battle Creek Diversion Project
The proposal is to divert water from the upper flow of the north fork of Battle Creek into Bradley Lake in order to allow the dam to produce somewhat more energy. The Alaska Energy Authority has been continuing field work necessary to support engineering design of the proposed Battle Creek Diversion in preparation for the draft license amendment application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Responses to the agencies concerns regarding such things as loss of side-channel connectivity, compounding impacts from beaver activity, loss of sediment transfer because of reduced flushing flows, reduced cold-water contributions to side-channel ponds and others discussed during the May 2012 workshop have been developed while preparing for the draft amendment application. Documents and information regarding these are available Bryan Carey, P.E., AEA & AIDEA, (907) 771-3065.
AEA will be provide a draft FERC amendment application, including supporting environmental analysis of the operations proposal to interested parties
The approximate schedule for the amendment application is:
·         AEA to provide Draft Amendment Application to agencies for review: September 2012
·          90-day comment period by agencies:  September -  December 2012.
·         Meeting(s) with Agencies Regarding Recommended Terms and Conditions: January - March 2013
·         Final Amendment Application Submitted to FERC: March 2013 
·         FERC Processes Amendment Application: Spring – Summer 2013
  

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