tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478444999005634338.post4405708204638598477..comments2023-07-28T08:56:29.368-07:00Comments on Rural BC: Highway 37 ElectrificationBernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951619465188564252noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478444999005634338.post-44886939054287315432009-07-16T23:47:46.447-07:002009-07-16T23:47:46.447-07:00I enjoyed reading your comments regarding Highway ...I enjoyed reading your comments regarding Highway 37 electrification, aka the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL). It truly will be a green transmission line - and it should be smart too! By that I mean it should have fiber optics on it. <br /><br />The City and Borough of Wrangell Alaska, just recently formed from the former town, is actively working to advocate for a link to the proposed NTL because it sees the link as a win-win for our respective regions.<br /><br />There are many more benefits for both regions, some we can't yet foresee. Keep up the good work, Alaska is will benefit too and so the concept is supported here among those who have a clear understanding of the benefits of interconnection.<br /><br />The Alaska Panhandle (we Alaskan's know it as Southeast Alaska) has over 10,000 megawatts of low (environmental) impact, alpine lake tap hydroelectric potential. Alaska has wave energy from the Gulf of Alaska which is measured in terra-watts (trillions). Much like BC's Northcoast, we have tidal ranges which make production of lunar energy possible. And I haven't mentioned biomass either which is a renewable energy source.<br /><br />The Northwest Transmission Line will benefit us (Alaskans and First Alaskans) immensely along with benefitting the Northwest as well. We get a market for our surplus energy (Southeast Alaska presently use only 200 megawatts or two-percent of our hydroelectric potential). <br /><br />In other ways we're much like Northwest BC. Many of our small first Alaskan communities are still on diesel generation and it is killing the small town economies. So, like Dease Lake and Iskut our smaller predominantly First Nation towns would benefit greatly from being interconnected.<br /><br />I read recently about Northwest geothermal being tappable with an NTL, Alaska has abundant geothermal in our region too. Southeast also has wind opportunities much like Haida Gwaii's Naikun proposal, but we see that as further out in the future.<br /><br />So, many Alaskans here join you in supporting the NTL on Highway 37. Alaska's future production provides assurances that there will always be energy flowing on your government's NTL investment (in the event of mine closures due to world metal prices). Interconnecting Alaska's generating sources to BC's provides stability to long distance transmission lines.A. John Robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18169254811531341454noreply@blogger.com