The ongoing biomass discussion could lead to wise decisions and
practices within a sustainability approach if we understand all
the component parts, understand how these parts fit together,
and plan for the long-term, with history as a guide. We should
learn from the history of our local hydropower system. Gold
mining was the impetus for our first hydropower projects. As our
community grew, the federal Snettisham project tapped into Long
Lake. Not being on a grid meant that excess energy potential
became spilled water, not contributing to payment of the power
project debt or income for the local utility. We therefore
provided price incentives for converting hot water and space
heating from fuel oil to electricity, without adequate thermal
codes. This resulted in fully using Long Lake energy many years
earlier than originally planned, and an inefficient residential,
business and government energy infrastructure in Juneau.
Development of Crater Lake and Dorothy Lake years later became
necessary earlier because