Application Forms and Instructions

Burro Creek Holdings. LLC

Box 271

3^rd & Alaska

Skagway, Alaska 99840

907-983-2414

983-2415

madam@aptalaska.net

Janice C. Wrentmore

Owner

Box 271

1. 
   PROJECT TYPE
   

Feasibility Analysis/Conceptual Design

2. 
   PROJECT DESCRIPTION
   

Burro Creek, formerly the Burro Creek Farms Hatchery, is an existing, operational hydro system located on 121 acres of private land approximately one and a half miles south of Skagway on the west side of upper Lynn Canal. A grant is requested to obtain expert analysis of the feasibility of upgrading the existing hydro system in order to wholesale power to Alaska Power and Telephone or the City of Skagway. Existing AP&T hydro projects supply electricity to Haines and Skagway but the communities must still rely on diesel during certain times of the year. Also, existing hydro projects do not generate enough power to supply the cruise lines who have expressed an interest in connecting to shore power as a means of reducing air quality emissions.

3. 
   PROJECT BUDGET OVERVIEW
   

The overall budget requested for the Feasibility Study is $60,000. Of this, $48,000 would be state grant money and $12,000 would be contributed by Jan Wrentmore, grantee/applicant, either in cash contribution or in-kind contributions. The feasibility study would allow us to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of all the options available at Burro Creek and make a recommendation to the Alaska Energy Authority as to the best alternative. At that point, it would be possible to make an estimate of the cost of the entire project based on that preferred alternative.

4. 
   PROJECT BENEFIT
   

Potential benefits to the Alaskan public include reduced fuel costs to residents of Haines and Skagway (or less dependence on diesel) and improved air quality in upper Lynn Canal when and if the cruise ships are able to hook up to shore power.

5. 
   PROJECT COST AND BENEFIT SUMARY
   

Tell us who will be managing the project for the Grantee and include a resume and references for the manager(s). If the applicant does not have a project manager indicate how you intend to solicit project management Support. If the applicant expects project management assistance from AEA or another government entity, state that in this section.

Darrel Maple, consultant and former City Manager of Haines will act as project manager of the feasibility study. John Floreske, Owner and Manager of Northern Construction, Inc. and master electrician of Haines Alaska, will provide the technical expertise associated with hydraulic calculations and cost/design analysis. Mr. Maple and Floreske have worked together in the past on a number of hydro development projects including 10 mile Hydroelectric and Lutak Hydroelectric in Haines. With John’s supervision, on the ground measurements of stream capacity and other hydrology concerns will be conducted by Jay McClendon, Facilities Manager for the existing Burro Creek property.

Include a schedule for the proposed work that will be funded by this grant. (You may include a chart or table attachment with a summary of dates below.)

Begin 12-month stream flow monitoring and data collection.

Begin consultant studies of design options, costs and benefits;

Identify Costs of submarine cable and connecting to the Skagway grid; identify potential impacts, investigate permitting timelines; address agency concerns.
April 2009

Begin any field studies required by government agencies

Finalize draft report

Submit draft report for independent engineering review.

Submit final report to AEA

Define key tasks and decision points in your project and a schedule for achieving them.

Investigate permitting issues and develop a permitting timeline.

Estimate costs and develop recommendations as to the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a variety of alternatives for expansion of Burro Creek hydro infrastructure using state of the art renewable energy technology.

Describe the personnel, contractors, equipment, and services you will use to accomplish the project. Include any partnerships or commitments with other entities you have or anticipate will be needed to complete your project. Describe any existing contracts and the selection process you may use for major equipment purchases or contracts. Include brief resumes and references for known, key personnel, contractors, and suppliers as an attachment to your application.

Resumes are attached for the key people in this study, Darrel Maple, John Floreske, Jay McClendon. Additionally, Stan Selmer, General Manager of Alaska Power and Telephone has been extremely supportive and helpful. Also, Bill Shattenberg, owner of Anchor Electric in Juneau has been an important advisor for the Burro Creek Project.

Discuss how you plan to monitor the project and keep the Authority informed of the status.

The Progress Report Form and the Financial Report Form/Request for Reimbursement will be submitted on a monthly basis. These forms would provide the opportunity to regularly review the work that has been accomplished or initiated as well as a venue to discuss any problems which may have arisen.

Discuss potential problems and how you would address them.

Because this is a feasibility study, I do not foresee any risks.

• 
  Tell us what the project is and how you will meet the requirements outlined in Section 2 of the RFA. The level of information will vary according to phase of the project you propose to undertake with grant funds.
  
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  If you are applying for grant funding for more than one phase of a project provide a plan and grant budget for completion of each phase.
  
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  If some work has already been completed on your project and you are requesting funding for an advanced phase, submit information sufficient to demonstrate that the preceding phases are satisfied and funding for an advanced phase is warranted.
  

Describe the potential extent/amount of the energy resource that is available.

Discuss the pros and cons of your proposed energy resource vs. other alternatives that may be available for the market to be served by your project.

Alaska Power and Telephone Company staff have visited the Burro Creek operation and estimated the capacity of the stream at 2 megawatts. The year-round potential of the Creek however, needs to be determined. The community of Skagway already enjoys significant developed hydro resources but the power company still relies on diesel fuels for part of the year. The role of Burro Creek in alleviating this situation and/or providing power to the cruise lines will be determined by the proposed feasibility study.

Briefly discuss the basic configuration of the existing energy system. Include information about the number, size, age, efficiency, and type of generation.

Currently, Skagway is served by Alaska Power and Telephone which generates power from two hydro project, Goat Lake and Dewey Lakes. A third hydro project is scheduled to go on line this fall at Kasidaya Creek south of Skagway. Despite our hydro resources, the community must still depend on diesel at certain times of the year, particularly in late winter and early spring.

Briefly discuss your understanding of the existing energy resources. Include a brief discussion of any impact the project may have on existing energy infrastructure and resources.

The existing Burro Creek Hydro is a run-of-river system and is not dependent on a lake. Historically, the stream has running water 12 months a year and could, potentially, relieve some of the community’s dependence on diesel during the winter months. While I do not have access to the specifics of AP&T’s existing energy infrastructure, the study proposed in this application will provide a thorough discussion of the impacts of Burro Creek development on existing energy resources and the feasibility of providing power during the winter and early spring.

Discuss existing energy use and its market. Discuss impacts your project may have on energy customers.

Include information necessary to describe the system you are intending to develop and address potential system design, land ownership, permits, and environmental issues.

Provide the following information for the proposed renewable energy system:

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  A description of renewable energy technology specific to project location
  
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  Optimum installed capacity
  
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  Anticipated capacity factor
  
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  Anticipated annual generation
  
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  Anticipated barriers
  
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  Basic integration concept
  
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  Delivery methods
  

Alaska Power and Telephone staff estimated the capacity of Burro Creek at 2 megawatts, but it could prove to be more or less. The optimum installed capacity will depend on a number of variables to be evaluated in the feasibility study. The method of delivery would be approximately 1½ mile of submarine cable connecting Burro Creek to the Skagway power grid. The cost effectiveness of this approach will need to be determined.

Identify potential land ownership issues, including whether site owners have agreed to the project or how you intend to approach land ownership and access issues.

The existing hydro system and the section of Burro creek which is associated with the hydro is located entirely on the 121 acre tract owned by the grantee, Jan Wrentmore, owner of Burro Creek Holdings. Additionally, Water Rights have been secured in the Grantee’s name. However, the existing water rights may need to be expanded depending on the outcome of the feasibility study and the volume of water projected for the preferred alternative.

Provide the following information as it may relate to permitting and how you intend to address outstanding permit issues.

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  List of applicable permits
  
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  Anticipated permitting timeline
  
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  Identify and discussion of potential barriers
  

Because this project would consist of upgrading an existing hydro constructed entirely on private property, it is possible that some permitting hurdles can be avoided. One of the goals of this study is to identify all applicable permits and develop an anticipated permitting timeline.

Address whether the following environmental and land use issues apply, and if so how they will be addressed:

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  Threatened or Endangered species
  
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  Habitat issues
  
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  Wetlands and other protected areas
  
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  Archaeological and historical resources
  
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  Land development constraints
  
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  Telecommunications interference
  
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  Aviation considerations
  
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  Visual, aesthetics impacts
  
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  Identify and discuss other potential barriers
  

The impact of the existing hydro on fish and wildlife resources appears to be negligible. Burro Creek is not a natural salmon-spawning stream and there currently is almost no return of salmon from the days when the Hatchery was in operation. However, local wisdom indicates there may be Dolly Vardin in the upper parts of the stream. Visual, aesthetic and wilderness values will need to be taken into consideration as the waterfalls are spectacular and the area has scenic and recreational value.

The level of cost information provided will vary according to the phase of funding requested and any previous work the applicant may have done on the project. Applicants must reference the source of their cost data. For example: Applicants Records or Analysis, Industry Standards, Consultant or Manufacturer’s estimates.

Provide detailed project cost information based on your current knowledge and understanding of the project. Cost information should include the following:

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  Total anticipated project cost, and cost for this phase
  
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  Requested grant funding
  
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  Applicant matching funds – loans, capital contributions, in-kind
  
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  Identification of other funding sources
  
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  Projected capital cost of proposed renewable energy system
  
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  Projected development cost of proposed renewable energy system
  

The grant request for the feasibility study is $48,000 with $12,000 match to be provided by the grantee.

Overall development and construction costs will be identified in the study.

Include anticipated O&M costs for new facilities constructed and how these would be funded by the applicant.

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  Total anticipated project cost for this phase
  
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  Requested grant funding
  

Operating and maintenance costs for this portion of the project (feasibility study) should be minimal: snow removal for winter access; periodic maintenance of the dock to provide year-round access, maintenance and monitoring of instrumentation to calculate stream flow characteristics.

The power purchase/sale information should include the following:

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  Identification of potential power buyer(s)/customer(s)
  
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  Potential power purchase/sales price - at a minimum indicate a price range
  
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  Proposed rate of return from grant-funded project
  

The potential buyers are Alaska Power and Telephone, the City of Skagway, and the cruise lines who dock in Skagway. The feasibility study will identify the potential for power purchase/sales and rates of return.

Complete the cost worksheet form which provides summary information that will be considered in evaluating the project.

Please see attached Cost Worksheet Form.

Discuss your plan for operating the completed project so that it will be sustainable. Include at a minimum proposed business structure(s) and concepts that may be considered.

Burro Creek has significant value as a tourist destination. Hydro development would enhance the attraction as the public has a growing interest in alternative energy. The study proposed in this application will evaluate the feasibility of developing hydroelectric energy as part of an overall visitor attraction that will enhance Skagway’s tourism in years to come. A goal of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of connecting Burro Creek to the power grid to generate revenue from power sales.

Provide information about the economic analysis and the proposed project. Discuss your recommendation for additional project development work.

The feasibility study should produce, in the end, a recommendation for future development work. Until all the options are considered, it is difficult to say what the future for Burro Creek hydro is. Much depends, in my opinion, on the outcome of the winter hydrological data that is collected during the initial phases of the feasibility study. This will demonstrate if Burro Creek can supplement community power during the months when it relies on diesel fuel. Also at issue, is whether or not an effort will be made in the near future to connect cruise lines to shore power.

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  Potential annual fuel displacement (gal and $) over the lifetime of the evaluated renewable energy project
  
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  Anticipated annual revenue (based on i.e. a Proposed Power Purchase Agreement price, RCA tariff, or avoided cost of ownership)
  
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  Potential additional annual incentives (i.e. tax credits)
  
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  Potential additional annual revenue streams (i.e. green tag sales or other renewable energy subsidies or programs that might be available)
  
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  Discuss the non-economic public benefits to Alaskans over the lifetime of the project
  

Project benefits will be determined by the preferred alternative chosen in the feasibility study. Particularly in the case of providing clean power to cruise lines, the public would see a benefit in increased air quality.

To date, the purchase of Burro Creek in 2005 and subsequent improvements to the lodge, dock, hydro and helicopter pad total in excess of one million dollars in personal capital. I am requesting $48,000 in grant money to conduct the feasibility study and am proposing $12,000 of in kind contributions to match this grant. If for some reason, the in kind contributions are insufficient, I will contribute cash to bring the total of the match to 20%.