Currently McGrath’s main energy source for electricity and heat is diesel fuel. Fuel is shipped in by river barge or flown in by aircraft. Increasing fuel and transportation costs are driving this effort to seek supplemental energy sources for McGrath.
Meetings were held January 16 – 18, 2024 to draft an Energy Plan for McGrath. Community needs were identified including: reducing reliance on diesel fuel to power the electrical generators, eliminating the loss of heated water due to leaks in the drinking water system, weatherization and energy efficiency for residential houses, the need for a generator for the community emergency shelter at the school, utility line upgrades, grant opportunities, and more!
Sustainable energy sources were discussed. After reviewing all of the options and resources currently available, solar panels combined with battery energy storage appears to be the most feasible, cost-effective and available technology for McGrath today. Other sources such as biofuel, hydrokinetic, micro nuclear, geothermal & wind energy will be included in the plan’s vision for the future.
Why write a plan? A written plan is helpful to guide McGrath’s future activities. A community approved plan will make grant applications more competitive when applying for funding for these projects.
Participants in these meetings included residents, students and representatives from MTNT, Ltd, McGrath Light and Power, McGrath Native Village Council, Iditarod Area School District, the City of McGrath and our visiting technical experts from the Renewable Alaska Energy Project, Tanana Chief’s Conference and the National Energy Lab at Fairbanks.
McGrath’s Energy Committee will meet again on February 1st 3-4pm to continue to write the plan. McGrath’s Community Energy Plan will be available for review once the draft is complete. If you would like to get involved or have questions, contact Sarah at City of McGrath http://administrator@cityofmcgrath.org.
Sarah McClellan, City Administrator, City of McGrath
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