Community Values
Juneau’s values are our values, because we live here, too.
We Live Here, Too
Sweetheart Lake was the concept and vision of some Juneau investors and Duff Mitchell, who have lived here for a good portion of their lives. The project has been funded with local investment and local money dedicated to a philosophy of doing hydropower right. Our investors live where you live. They have raised and continue to raise their families here. What is important to you and our Juneau community is also important to them. They share the same local community values that you do and they realize that if Juneau is to thrive into the future – it needs to grow in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
Juneau needs energy and innovative technology to support our growing fleet of electric cars and busses in a sustainable and renewable manner. Juneau is ideally suited for electric transportation since anywhere you might want to go is well within the limits of a daily charge. Simply put, Juneau does not have “range anxiety” because the current level of battery technology combined with convenient charging stations around Juneau, make owning an electric vehicle a cost effective and sustainable choice for local transportation.
Sweetheart Lake will lower the cost of mineral production in Southeast Alaska and could extend the useful life of Juneau’s mining operations. For example, the Kensington mine is the second largest private employer in Juneau. The Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Facility provides security for Juneau’s industry and business sectors by providing stable and reliable generation immune to fossil fuel price volatility. Purchasing hydropower generation vs. fossil fuel generation makes sense because hydropower energy dollars recirculate in our Juneau economy rather than exporting these energy dollars to other locations.
Benefits for Juneau and Its Residents
Lower energy prices versus oil benefit everyone
The State of Alaska is impacted by the price of oil. Oil pricing volatility wreak havoc on the State of Alaska’s operational and capital energy budgets. When oil prices are low state revenues are low. Higher oil values negatively impact everyday Alaskan’s energy costs but provide the State of Alaska revenues. Increased local affordable power to replace the need for local diesel generation lifts all Alaskan industries regardless of the cost of oil be it high or low.
Jobs for Juneau
Juneau Hydropower represent Jobs for Juneau and will provide short and long-term construction activity for Juneau when Juneau needs it the most: now, all while helping insulate Juneau from the impacts of oil price volatility.
Renewable Energy is the key to Juneau’s sustainable future
Due to Juneau’s isolated grid, we have no option but to increase our renewable energy resources to protect our community.
Sustainable and self-sufficient local hydropower is better for our collective economy and our personal household budget. Secure, fossil free energy gives families the ability to accurately budget into the future devoid of fossil fuel price volatility. Energy security for Juneau is not merely access to energy, but access to reliable and low cost energy that can operate essentially forever.
It is our belief, and driving ambition, that the people who live in Juneau should never again have to worry about whether they can pay an unexpectedly high fuel bill versus purchasing the groceries their family needs. An electric future powered by our abundant rainfall is the right energy choice for us all today, and for future generations of Juneau citizens.
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