More and more Southeast government buildings and businesses are turning to woody biomass for heat. Some experts say the region is close to having enough demand to justify building a pellet mill. But it won’t be easy.
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska
SE votes on plastic bags, hydro, alcohol tax
Southeast Alaskans head to the polls on Tuesday, October 4th. They will choose city and borough leaders and voice opinions on a variety of ballot measures. The more-than-a-dozen measures include taxing plastic bags, funding hydropower projects and dropping a senior-citizen exemption for a tax on booze and smokes. One of the most controversial is in…
Road, line work starts at Reynolds Creek hydroproject
Haida Energy is starting to build Prince of Wales Island’s next hydropower plant. But it still needs more funding. The Reynolds Creek hydroproject has long been a dream of the Haida village Native corporation, based in Hydaburg.
Statewide energy conference held in Juneau
Alaska’s seventh annual Rural Energy Conference takes place this week in Juneau. The three-day event includes technical workshops on newer technologies, such as wind, tidal, geothermal and biomass.
Transportation plan could change roads, ferries
Public meetings on Southeast Alaska transportation options begin Monday (Sept. 26). Some of the plans up for review would drastically change ferry service or increase road mileage in the region.
Juneau faces homeless chronic inebriate problem
An affordable-housing group is looking for ways to reduce the number of chronic inebriates downtown. The Juneau Homeless Coalition met Thursday to begin gathering information and planning for new programs.