Department of Transportation issued it's decision to re-select Alaska Airlines on the 9th of February. The airline requested a $1,933,219 increase in the annual subsidy.

US DOT  stated, "We have reviewed that proposal and the level of subsidy appears reasonable.  The carrier's proposal is based on its results for the year ended September 30, 2008, the most recent period available.  Compared to the rates set in Order 2006-3-20, the biggest increases in expenses are for fuel and maintenance. Fuel expenses have increased by $1,239,395 from the current rate. "

For an electronic version of Docket OST -1998-4899-0093 CLICK HERE.

City of Petersburg officially files for Ruth Lake permit.
Robert Monteith, Petersburg Pilot. Printed February 5, 2009.

The private company Cascade Creek, LLC had their Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) permit expire on Ruth Lake, one of three bodies of water in Thomas Bay that the company was studying for hydroelectric potential. Petersburg residents and the city council have voiced opposition to the company's efforts since they first proposed the projects last November. There has been local support, however, for Petersburg's involvement in it's own Ruth Lake Project, but the city could not obtain a permit until the current one expired.
CLICK HERE for the full article.



City of Wrangell's Energy Committee looks at funding, strengthening AKBC Intertie argument.
Ryan Long, Wrangell Sentinel. Printed February 2009.

The newly formed Wrangell Energy Committee met on February 3 to discuss the pursuance of remaining Alaska Energy Authority funding that was, at one point, marked for the Alaska British Columbia (AKBC) Intertie and was later transferred to the Kake-Petersburg Intertie. The Committee made a point of creating an argument for the AKBC Intertie on three separate levels. On the national level, the committee representative tot he Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) will seek to prove that the country is starved for green and renewable power. On the State and regional level, the representative will have to show that the AKBC will spur the further development of hydropower in the region, due to the opening of a new market on the North American grid. And, finally, the assertion must be made that once the AKBC is in place, and regional hydro development is underway, that small rural communities will finally be able to tap into a cheap, reliable energy source, and begin to grow in kind.
CLICK HERE for the full article.