Fuel Imports For Railbelt Energy Coming

LNG imports expected by Winter 2014

Tools

by Mike Ford

Story Created: Nov 28, 2012 at 11:15 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 28, 2012 at 11:15 PM AKDT

Imports of liquefied natural gas could be needed for Railbelt electrical generation by the winter of 2014. This according to Joe Griffith, General Manager of the Matanuska Electric Association.

"Fuel supply from the Cook Inlet is diminishing" Mr. Griffith told the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Monday. "Cook Inlet natural gas provides the fuel for the majority of our Railbelt electrical generation, and a new solution is needed."

Griffith urged cooperation between utilities."In the coming weeks, ARTEC (the Alaska Railbelt Cooperative Transmission and Electric Company-a cooperative effort among the Railbelt electrical utilities) will present a 10-year plan of needed electric transmission and gas-supply infrastructure improvements to out governor and Legislature for funding support."

Industry experts speculate that fuel costs for power generation could triple due to lack of needed infrastructure.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

Coastal Television | AK News, Weather and Sports | and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Poll

Should there be more safety precautions in place during Arctic Man?

  • Yes
  • No

Tonight on Your Alaska Link