About halfway through its one-year contract, Deerstone has already made some interesting discoveries.
"The way we started trying to find savings was by looking at the large energy consumers, things like the dock and other large city buildings," said Deerstone project manager Brian Hirsch. "We're really trying to see where there's any possible savings."
Things like weatherization, replacement of boilers, updating old equipment, improving air systems and replacing the city's fleet of vehicles with more energy efficient models are all likely to make the final list of suggestions, said Hirsch, and Deerstone plans to have a preliminary update ready for the Homer City Council and the public by February.
"We're trying to resist the temptation to make any promises as to what the savings might be," said Hirsch. "In February, we'll have something that will be of use to people."
Hirsch, who holds a doctorate degree in natural resources from the University of Wisconsin, has been working part-time along with three others -- Joel Cooper, David Mogar and Marla McPherson -- to help the city implement the Climate Action Plan. In addition to inspecting city buildings and tracking emissions from city vehicles, the group also is taking a look at alternative forms of energy.
One of the group's bigger ideas is to study the possibility of harnessing tidal power on Kachemak Bay, an idea Hirsch pitched to the council at its Oct. 13 meeting.
Calling Alaska "the Saudi Arabia of tidal power" and citing support from Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, and the Homer Electric Association, Hirsch urged the council to approve an application for a $35,000 grant from the Alaska Energy Authority to study tidal power on the bay. The council approved the application and will know next summer if they will receive the grant.
"That's another piece of the plan -- promoting more renewable energy options," said Hirsch.
Homer City Manager Walt Wrede said the city is definitely interested in the possibility of tidal energy on Kachemak Bay and would likely partner with the Seldovia Village Tribe, the Nanwalek Village Council, the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the study.
"We want to look at four different sites around Kachemak Bay, two off the Spit, one by Seldovia and another by Nanwalek, to see if they could generate electricity," said Wrede.
Wrede acknowledged the tidal power idea, and perhaps several of Deerstone's energy savings suggestions, might fall victim to looming reductions in the city budget.
"We might not have a lot of money to do this stuff, but we are still out there studying things and applying for grants for renewable energy," he said.
Hirsch said he understood the city's budget constraints, but expressed confidence that Deerstone's final report, due in July 2009, would help save the city money.
"We've talked some about it and the city has to make its priority decisions," he said. "I hope that we can still recommend some things that will make this worthwhile. They have to determine what makes sense to them."
Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.
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Homer Alaska - News -
Story last updated at
7:37 PM on
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Consultants to have preliminary report to council in February
By Aaron Selbig
Staff Writer
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