Electric Department
Mission Statement:
"The mission of the Sitka Electric Enterprise Fund is to provide
adequate and reliable electric service for all consumers
connected to the Sitka electric power distribution system."
- Christopher Brewton, Utility Director
Water Level Update
2/2/2012
Energy Star Rebate Program Survey Results
1/24/2012
Thank you to those who participated in the short opinion survey. There was a total of 50 participants. Click here to view the results.
Sitka Hydropower Back On Track
1/20/2012
Thanks to weather and Sitka's conservation efforts, Green and Blue Lakes are where they need to be, level wise, in order to prepare Sitka for this spring without running out of hydropower. Presently, Green Lake is 9 feet below the rule curve estimate, while Blue Lake is 11 feet below the curve. The rule curve represents the water level the lakes need to be at in order to provide adequate power to the City without running out of hydropower capacity. At this rate, with the supplemental diesel power, the lakes are expected to refill after the summer snow melt and October rain.
Sitkans Hit Energy Consumption Record
1/18/2012
On January 17, 2012, Sitka electricity consumers set a record at 24 MW for a peak load at 6 pm. This is 5 MW, or 26% greater, than the 19 MW electrical peak hit in 2005. Ketchikan Electric also set a record of 34.7 MW on January 17, surpassing their old peak of 30.5 a few winters back. During this cold spell, try to conserve your energy, but do stay warm!
Alaska Energy Authority Releases Draft Energy Plan for Southeast
1/12/2012
The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), in collaboration with Southeast Conference and the Southeast Alaska Integrated Resource Plan (SEIRP) Advisory Work Group, today released the draft Southeast Alaska Integrated Resource Plan for public review and comment. Click here to read the full report.
Diesel Surcharge
1/10/2012
Effective IMMEDIATELY, a diesel fuel surcharge of $0.0135 per kWh is in effect to recover the costs of supplemental diesel generation. To minimize the impact of this fuel surcharge, all customers are encouraged to minimize electric energy consumption and switch to a non-electric heat source if possible. The fuel surcharge applies to all customer classes and will be in effect for one year, adjusted quarterly, or until the costs of operating the diesel generators is recovered. The fuel surcharge applies to all energy use (kilowatt hours) and does not apply to demand (kilowatts). Please contact the Electric Department at 747-4000 if you have questions.
Hydro 101 Presentation
1/10/2012
On Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 PM in Room 106 at UAS Campus, Dean Orbison, Generation Engineer, will give a presentation about the hydrologic cycle for Blue and Green Lakes and illustrate how the Electric Department determines Sitka's generation needs, including diesel usage. For those interested in learning about how the Electric Department makes these important decisions, please attend this educational opportunity.
Electric Department Celebrates 42nd Year
On December 31, 1970, the City and Borough of Sitka was issued Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 100, which granted the authority to provide electric service to the community of Sitka.
Fuel Surcharge Information
12/1/2011
Due to low water levels in the lakes, supplemental diesel operations have commenced and a fuel surcharge will be applied to all customer bills.
Click here for a copy of the Cost Adjustment Powerpoint presentation as presented at the November 15 Assembly Meeting.
Facts About Our City Hydro Projects
11/18/11
The Electric Dept. has received numerous calls recently from members of the public asking about the technical specifications for our existing hydro projects. In an attempt to provide answers to those questions, we have posted some helpful information at this link.
New and Existing Electric Service
To set up a new account for electric service or make changes to existing service, please contact the Utility Office at (907)747-1818 or visit the Utility web page for more information.
Current Power Supply Status
Red - Stop Using Electric Heat: It is certain that significant supplemental
diesel generation will be required this year. Please switch to an alternate
heat source. (Oil, Wood, Etc.)
Helpful Information About Your Electric Service
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Blue Lake Dam Expansion Project
For information about the Blue Lake Dam Expansion project, click on this link.
Electric Use by Customer Class
For the full graph and other interesting Customer Class Information, Click Here! Please visit Bitty's link under the What's New tab and check out more information about FREE ways to conserve energy, useful energy comparisons and more!
Should I Use Electric or Oil Heat?
We are frequently asked what the break-even point is between using electric heat and oil heat. To view a reference chart that should help you determine what's most economical, click on this link.
Water Levels at Sitka's Hydro Power Lakes
The water levels in Blue Lake and Green Lake fluctuate during the year depending upon rainfall amount, customer use and outdoor temperature. It's normal for October weather to refill the lakes
or spill over the dams at times during the year, when seasonal rainfall exceeds customer use and available storage. Click here to see a chart illustrating this.
Rain Power Film
The film Rain Power chronicles Sitka's quest to build a clean energy future using hydroelectric power. To view a trailer for this documentary short film, click on this link.
Private Solar Power Installation
Sitka's first interconnected privately owned renewable 1240 watt solar energy system is now operational. You can check out its solar power output at:
http://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/Jpcj9696
Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Hydropower in Southeast Alaska
To see report, click on this link.
Power Supply Risk Level
The Electric Department has implemented a color coded Power Supply Risk Level to communicate to the public regarding our current status on Power Generation. The Risk Level will follow the same concept as Traffic Lights, (Proceed/ Caution/ Stop)
Red - Stop Using Electric Heat: It is certain that significant supplemental
diesel generation will be required this year. Please switch to alternate
heat source. (Oil, Wood, Etc.)
Yellow - Caution Using Electric Heat: There is a high risk of significant
supplemental diesel generation will be required this year. As a
precautionary measure please conserve on the use of electric energy.
Green - Proceed Using Electric Heat: There is a low risk that significant
supplemental diesel generation will be required this year.
City and Borough of Sitka, Electric Department
105 Jarvis Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835
(907)747-4000, Emergency number (24 hours a day): (907)747-6634 Fax: (907)747-3208
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.