Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

With the possibility of increased power rates looming on the horizon, Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott is convening a public “Energy Roundtable” discussion from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the library.

Big names in the Haines energy scene are scheduled to speak, including Alaska Power and Telephone president Bob Grimm, Southern Energy owner John Floreske and Inside Passage Electric Cooperative CEO Jodi Mitchell.

Alaska Energy Authority Deputy Director Gene Therriault will deliver a keynote speech on how communities like Haines, which will not have ready access to the proposed natural gas pipeline, can expect to secure affordable energy.

Scott and Southeast Conference energy coordinator Robert Venables will facilitate the discussion.

Scott said she is hoping to answer questions like why the Walker Lake hydroelectric project has stalled, why AP&T and IPEC power rates in the borough are different and how the borough can potentially help developers advance projects.

“I don’t think we’re going to come to any startling conclusion, but my bias is to believe that when people come together to hear information and to talk about possible ways forward, it’s always better,” Scott said.