Energy efficiency projects: Alaska Native villages procure funding to move towards self-sufficiency.

AuthorGallion, Mari
PositionSPECIAL SECTION: Clean Energy

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Sanitation Facilities in Selawik

Start: 9/2011 * End: 12/2013

DOE: $702,427

Awardee: $702,427

Total: $1,404,854

The main objective of the project is to improve the overall energy efficiency of the water treatment/distribution and sewer collection systems in Selawik by implementing the retrofit measures identified in a previously conducted utility energy audit. One purpose for the proposed improvements is to enable the community to realize significant savings associated with the cost of energy. Another purpose of the upgrades is to repair the vacuum sewer system on the west side of Selawik to prevent future freeze-up problems during winter months.

The community of Selawik's most important and urgent energy goal is to achieve significant cost savings from the proposed installation project. The cost of fuel oil in Selawik is tremendously high, sometimes reaching over $5/gallon, which increases the costs of heating, sanitation, and electrical services for the community residents.

By upgrading the existing water treatment/distribution and vacuum sewer collection systems to operate more efficiently, the proposed project will significantly reduce Selawik's dependence on fuel oil and support the community in its quest for independence from external economic pressures. This installation project will enable Selawik to have an affordable and sustainable water and sewer system. This will enable tribal members to continue to live in their traditional lands and pursue their subsistence lifestyle.

By implementing the energy efficiency measures from the previously conducted energy audit, through the scope items identified above, the community of Selawik will realize an estimated reduction in energy costs of 46 percent, or $63,680 per year.

Selawik is located at the mouth of the Selawik River, about 90 miles east of Kotzebue. It lies 670 miles northwest of Anchorage. The community, which encompasses 2.5 square miles of land and 0.9 square miles of water, was developed across the Selawik River onto three banks linked by bridges.

Selawik will partner with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for this project. ANTHC's long-term vision includes assisting communities to upgrade their sanitation facilities to become more energy efficient, remotely monitoring energy use at the sanitation facilities, and promoting system sustainability by training local operators.

Aleutian Pribilof Islands...

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