Power outages a part of life during winter in Hope

By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent

We know that we're considered rural here in Hope. Yes, it's far from Anchorage but, so is every community on Turnagain Arm. Why then, we ask, does the power have such a hard time staying on during a storm? We ponder, is it like this everywhere on the Arm, days-long outages every time the anemometer starts spinning?

Make no mistake; we do take a certain amount of civic pride in our power outage preparedness. Most residents make use of a personal generator with the zeal of a 21st century pioneer; makes us feel tough, switching those breakers and cranking on the “genny.”

But after about one evening, the novelty can wear thin. Gas fumes start to hang heavy in the air and the noise pollution keeps the serenity at bay.

The last outage this past month began in the afternoon on Monday Nov. 30 and lasted through the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 2—about 38 hours.

Chugach Electric employees Phil Steyer, Director of Government Relations and Corporate Communications, and Ed Jenkins, Vice President of Engineering and Operations, took time to explain the intricacies of Hope's power situation to Hope Happenings. Mr. Steyer began by explaining, “Hope is not only situated in a microclimate with a disposition to wind and heavy snow conditions, it also lies at the end of a 17.7 mile radial distribution line from the Seward Highway.”

This is opposed to a looped distribution line, which has an alternate feed of electricity. He went on to explain that our town's electrical line bravely makes its way through a narrow cut of tall and dying spruce forest. Along the way, the hazards are many for the precious energy distribution source.

In 2003, Chugach Electric sought and received a federal grant to conduct a study of Hope's electrical reliability problems and prospective solutions. The Hope Line Relocation Study broke the existing electrical line into four sections. It identified solutions to improve each section of line and a dollar amount for the improvements. Based on the report's findings, and despite what residents think as they sit through power outages, Chugach Electric has already begun to implement these improvements.

They began by focusing on section 1, which is closest to the Seward Highway. Over the course of two years, Chugach Electric secured a $200,000 state grant and relocated 1.1 miles of line closer to the road. This endeavor was supported by state Rep. Mike Hawker and state Sen. Con Bunde. In addition, Chugach Electric coordinated with the Forest Service, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Transportation to make it happen. Whew, that's a lot of harmonizing to move a little over a mile of line.

Most recently, work was done on section 4, from Hope to approximately mile 10. Dead “danger” trees were cut within a 40-foot right of way and the downed wood was made available to residents. This work was made possible with funds from a state administered FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program grant of $312,000.

This reporter inquired as to why the large generator that powers the substation keeps moving in and out of town. Why can't it just stay here? Apparently, Chugach Electric does not keep more than one massive generator on hand since that is not the business that they are in. According to Mr. Steyer, they are only in the business of “central station generation using transmission and distribution lines.” He went on to explain that when an outage does occur in Hope there are usually other outages as well; they need to assess each community's situation and determine where the big generator should be utilized.

So, while two major line improvements have been accomplished so far, Hope residents can still expect to experience outages whenever the line falls prey to beetle kill trees and, in the winter, avalanches. Mr. Steyer was very clear in explaining that Chugach Electric cannot guarantee uninterrupted service to any of their customers. Chugach Electric will continue to pursue funding for further projects on the line as recommended in the Hope Line Relocation Study. Meanwhile, citizens of Hope should make sure candles and fuel is stocked to endure longer outages and bask in the glory of that hearty Hope spirit.

The Hope Line Relocation Study may be found online and about halfway down the page at: http://www.chugachelectric.com/news/projects.html.