Wary but watchful

July 22, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/Frontiersman

PALMER - Residents here are trying to remain open-minded about prospects of developing power generation and resources on the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

&#8220It's right where we live, so our concerns are always environmental,” said Valerie Rozzi, a homeowner along Outer Springer Loop Road. &#8220But everything is a trade-off. We all use power.”

Five acres of Alaska State Fairgrounds land are proposed for a location to build a $90 million, 70-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant by Tiquin Energy, a business owned by Randy Hobbs of Sutton.

The plant could be covered with a building resembling a barn, Hobbs said.

As a local resident, Rozzi said she wants to know how much of her view would despair behind a barn door and worries about the short- and long-term effects the plant could inevitably create. She would be willing to accept nearby power generation for its energy, but only if it won't come at the expense of the environment.

&#8220The cheapest way isn't always the best,” Rozzi said, adding potential noise emissions also worry her.

Hobbs said he has been discussing his idea with the fairgrounds board for months and has received a positive response from the start.

&#8220We really haven't run into any opposition for the gas-fire project at all,” he said. &#8220As far as the local people are concerned, there'd be hardly any physical impact. They would probably not even notice it's there.”

The plant &#8220would produce no noise,” Hobbs said, but he would not comment on other forms of environmental pollution.

Tiquin Energy's plan is the second to produce electric power in the Mat-Su Valley. Matanuska Electric Association plans to build two 100-megawatt generation plants, one gas-fired and another coal-fired. The coal-fired plant has been the subject of vocal public scrutiny and sparked the Mat-Su Borough Assembly to consider an ordinance governing the building of power generation. If approved, MEA and Tiquin would both be required to obtain a permit from the Borough before going ahead with their plans.

At a recent public meeting, the fair board appointed a committee to work out a letter of intent for the project.

Cody Wingert, a resident of downtown Palmer, said he isn't sure what's happening with those plans and doesn't want any type of smog to ruin his mountain views.

&#8220You don't want to ruin the look of the fair,” he said. &#8220I wouldn't be too into that just because it's crowded as it is.”

The only positive Wingert could think of would be jobs created by its construction and maintenance.

&#8220I can see the good and bad out of it,” he said.

Tiquin's plant would not only create jobs, but stimulate agriculture and cut costs for Matanuska Maid dairy, Hobbs said. The plant would produce thermal energy, a low grade heat that most people don't use but greenhouses and dairy farmers can. He is asking farmers to relocate to his proposed building area. If they do, they could get their heat for 80 percent of what they now pay.

Palmer City Council member Richard Best said Wasilla's growth makes Palmer residents want to keep their city small, and he isn't sure if the fairgrounds is the right place for a power plant.

&#8220If the people of the Valley don't want it, its not going to happen,” he said. &#8220Everybody is kind of worried about the big steam plumes like the power plant in Anchorage produces.”

Best likes the idea of using the offset heat for agriculture and sees a possible positives, including lowered energy bills and additional jobs.

Joe Thurston of Wasilla said he's lived in the Valley for 20 years and doesn't want a plant built anywhere if the jobs associated with it aren't guaranteed for locals.

Thurston worries the project would create environmental and noise pollution despite Hobbs' predictions.

Palmer Mayor John Combs said he would wait to comment on the issue until after the state fair's nonprofit corporation meets with Hobbs again to discuss the proposition in August.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.