Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Public Comment for U-24-036 by Corey Baxter

November 29, 2024

John Espindola, Chairman
RCA Commissioners
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
701 West Eighth Ave, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99501

RE: International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 Letter of Support for Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) approval for the Utility application filed by Juneau Hydropower, Inc. (JHI) for a new Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Docket No. U-24-036

Dear Chairman and distinguished Commissioners,

The Local 302 Operating Engineers is proud to be one of over 100 locals who make up the International Union of Operating Engineers. Founded in 1896, IUOE has 400,000 members throughout the US and Canada. Local 302's membership base is 14,000 strong across Washington, Idaho, and Alaska and consists of heavy equipment operators, stationary building operators, and more. Since 1905, Local 302 has advocated for our members, supporting families, communities, and local economies and prosperity. 

It is with this perspective that the Operating Engineers support families, communities, and our local Juneau economy that we strongly support and endorse the prompt approval of JHI's application to deliver new electrical service to the electrically unserviced areas of Alaska. Juneau Hydropower has demonstrated that they support our Juneau community with their talented management, teamwork with contractors and regulatory authorities, community support and relations, advocacy for advancing clean energy development and efficiencies, beneficial electrification, and local energy supply security and reliability.

JHI's management has been adept, persistent, and professional in permitting, regulatory approvals, seeking and gathering community support, and, importantly, undertaking to provide power to those without it while furnishing critically required infrastructure for our community's economic growth and prosperity. JHI, without exception, is fit, willing, and able to provide essential electrical services in their proposed territory. We ask that the RCA expedite approval so that JHI can begin construction to commence service to our community with construction in 2025.   We do not believe that the RCA can find another utility application in the history of the RCA and its predecessors that has had more public support or offered more public benefits than JHI's utility application. Providing electrical service in unserved areas opens up Alaska lands for development, a new tax base, and improved community services. Further, with JHI paying transmission wheeling fees to AIDEA and AEL&P for using their existing transmission, these new revenues help lower the energy cost for all Juneau area ratepayers, resulting in a true win-win for our community. 

Alaska is a weak transmission infrastructure state, and JHI's utility adds roughly 2.5% of new transmission in Alaska, providing decades of service to areas within JHI's service area. We ask that you timely support and expedite Juneau Hydropower's utility application and all other regulatory matters so that Juneau Hydropower can break ground and provide electrical service benefits to our community.

Sincerely,


Corey Baxter
District 8 Representative

CC: Mayor Beth Weldon, Assembly Members, City Manager Katie Koester, City and Borou

Type

Comments

Date Filed

11/29/2024

Tracking Number

TR2405248

Filed By

Corey Baxter

Entities

Certificate(s)

Means Received

Internet

Related Matters

U-24-036	Application-New Certificate for Juneau Hydropower, Inc.

Show Supporting Documents

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