AP&T continues push
for Connelly Lake

By Jessica Edwards

The Alaska Legislature in May denied a $988,000 grant application for a hydroelectric project at Connelly Lake in the upper Chilkoot River valley, but the local utility continues to push ahead with planning.

Alaska Power and Telephone intends to pursue a dam and 12-megawatt hydroelectric generating plant at Connelly Lake to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and that agency is reviewing the company’s proposal to determine if federal licenses are required.

FERC’s deadline for filing comments, protests or motions to intervene in AP&T’s plans to develop Connelly Lake is July 6.

Although the state in its second round of grant applications denied AP&T’s request for money to design and permit the Connelly Lake project, AP&T regional manager Stan Selmer said the company remained committed.

 “We just keep (it) on the front burner,” said Selmer. “We’re proceeding along with Connelly Lake without funding.”

Two Haines wood heat projects received a total of $413,000 in the state’s first round of grant funding.

Selmer said the company was applying to the Denali Commission and federal Department of Energy for Connelly Lake funding. The project also will be considered as in a third round of Alaska Enery Authority grant applications later this summer.

AP&T wants a hydro storage project to supplement the four megawatts produced by its Goat Lake hydro project because peak wintertime demand often exceeds available hydro power, causing the company to fire up diesel generators.

In warmer months, demand is easily met with the addition of run-of-the-river hydro from other projects, most significantly the three-megawatt Kasidaya Creek project.

In addition to pursuing funding options, Selmer said, AP&T waits on a FERC ruling to determine whether the Connelly Lake project requires federal licensing or only needs state permits.

Because the federal Bureau of Land Management recently transferred management of the upper Chilkoot River valley – including Connelly Lake – to the state, Selmer said the federal permit might not be required.

FERC might still decide to be involved because of access through Native allotments, Selmer said.

“Permit applications to state agencies are still in place but are waiting for us to begin our study plan review. And the study plan won’t be submitted to the agencies until we know if FERC will be involved.” If a FERC license is required, permitting could take an additional six months to a year, he said.

Nancy Berland of Lynn Canal Conservation said though lengthy, federal agencies have more stringent review processes and provide a better safeguard of fish resources.

“There will be a lesser environmental review if FERC is not involved,” Berland said. “The state does not have the depth of environmental review that the feds do, and you want to have (more stringent) review because of the resource at risk.”

Selmer said he hoped to make a reconnaissance trip to a possible alternate hydroelectric site at Schubee Lake later this week. Helicopter pilots recently reported the lake was still mostly frozen. When it thaws, AP&T can determine its depth.

Connelly Lake opponents earlier this year asked the company to assess the hydro potential of Schubee Lake, a significant, glacially-fed lake above Taiya Inlet.

To file a comment, protest or motion to intervene with FERC in regard to the Connelly Lake hydro project, write to Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20426. Instructions for filing online are available at www.ferc.gov. Include the docket number D109-9-000.