Friday, Apr 13 2012 3:59PM
Elaine Brown, executive director of Nuvista Light and Electric Cooperative Energy, testified in front of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on federal laws and policies that affect energy prices throughout Alaska.
Elaine Brown, executive director of Nuvista Light and Electric Cooperative Energy, testified in front of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on federal laws and policies that affect energy prices throughout Alaska.
Residents living in rural parts of Alaska, including Native American communities, have the highest energy costs in the country. Costs are between $7 to $12 per gallon for heating fuel and around $1.05 per kilowatt hour for generated electricity. In addition, the percentage of income used for heating homes and electricity has increased from 40 percent to 60 percent, making it harder for families living in rural areas to afford both.
Brown noted that research completed by Nuvista found that hydroelectric forms of energy would be the best way to eliminate high prices. She announced that the company recently applied for a permit through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a hydroelectric project.
The committee's support is needed to help streamline the project.
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