Juneau Energy Crisis May End Sooner Than Expected

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AEL&P reported to the Juneau Assembly on Monday that there is a chance that the energy crisis may be fixed sooner than later. Photo courtesy the AP.

Jamey Kirk

Story Created: May 13, 2008 at 1:29 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 13, 2008 at 1:29 PM AKDT

Juneau residents may see relief in the current energy crisis sooner than later. Repair work on the transmission lines that were wiped out in an avalanche could begin ahead of schedule.

According to the contractor responsible for the work, two of the Snettisham towers can be reused, which could drastically hasten the repair process.

On Monday night, Scott Willis, of Alaska Electric Light & Power, reported to the Assembly that the contractor has uncovered the foundations of two of the damaged transmission towers. The contractor found that the foundations are still intact and thus reusable.

Willis said this will save time that would be spent digging new foundations and pouring concrete.

A late June completion date was predicted by Willis. Prior to the discovery of the intact foundations, the transmission lines were expected to repaired by mid-July.

However this new projection is tentative. Willis stated that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and many parts still need to be delivered.