This paper provides a simple analysis of the cost of the proposed Susitna-Watana hydroelectric pr... more This paper provides a simple analysis of the cost of the proposed Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project from a ratepayer perspective, using data current as of June 2013. The Susitna Case 1 assumptions include a capital cost of 5.19 billion 2012 dollars, 100% debt financing at 5.0%, and an on-line date of 2024. Under these assumptions plus others described below, the production cost of Susitna power in 2024 would be 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and the cost at a Railbelt customer’s meter would be about 18 cents per kWh.1 By comparison, if natural gas is available to electric utilities in year 2024 at a price of about $9.50 per million btu, and ignoring potential carbon taxes, then the production cost and retail cost of power from a new combined cycle gas turbine going online in 2024 would be about 11 cents and 16 cents per kWh, respectively
National Park Service, Alaska Director's Office. National Park Conservation Association, Alas... more National Park Service, Alaska Director's Office. National Park Conservation Association, Alaska Office.
Palin, has proposed to pay every Alaskan $1,200 to help cover those increased costs. The Alaska L... more Palin, has proposed to pay every Alaskan $1,200 to help cover those increased costs. The Alaska Legislature will be considering the governor’s proposal in the special session that began July 9. How would the proposed payments—about $3,300 for the averagesize Alaska household—compare with recent increases in energy costs? We looked at that question and present our estimates here. But these truly are estimates, because there’s not much current information about the types and amounts of energy Alaska households use. As a basis for estimating increases in home-energy costs—mainly electricity and heating—we used household data from the 2000 U.S. census. That allows us to estimate changes in costs by region and income. With today’s much higher costs, many households probably use less energy now than in 2000—but since we don’t have current data, we had to assume the amounts of energy households consume are the same as in 2000. We have no data on differences in consumption of gasoline or ot...
... The creation of the protocol narrative and SOPs involved the contributions of numerous indivi... more ... The creation of the protocol narrative and SOPs involved the contributions of numerous individuals. Becky Brock, Chief of Concessions, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Katmai National Park and Preserve, was instrumental to the project. ...
… Foundation (available at www. iser. uaa. alaska …, 2007
... economy cannot be directly or precisely measured. The number of cruise ship passengers visiti... more ... economy cannot be directly or precisely measured. The number of cruise ship passengers visiting major ports has more than doubled since 1990, but the linkages between these visitors, the cruise industry, and the associated businesses on shore cannot be quantified with ...
Wind-hydrogen systems provide one way to store intermittent wind energy as hydrogen. We explored ... more Wind-hydrogen systems provide one way to store intermittent wind energy as hydrogen. We explored the hypothesis that an integrated wind-hydrogen system supplying electricity, heat, and transportation fuel could serve the needs of an isolated (off-grid) Alaska community at a lower cost than a collection of separate systems. Analysis indicates that: 1) Combustible Hydrogen could be produced with current technologies for direct use as a transportation fuel for about $15/gallon-equivalent; 2) The capital cost of the wind energy rather than the capital cost of electrolyzers dominates this high cost; and 3) There do not appear to be diseconomies of small scale for current electrolyzers serving a a village of 400 people.
This report summarizes the fiscal effects of the commercial fishing, mining, and tourism industri... more This report summarizes the fiscal effects of the commercial fishing, mining, and tourism industries on Alaska’s state government. The report calculates state revenue collected from each industry and compares it to the state’s expenditures for that industry. What revenue does the State of Alaska receive from commercial fishing? From the mining industry? From tourism? What does the state pay out to manage each resource? While the comparison between the state’s revenue and expenditures is useful information, this report is not an economic benefit-cost analysis.Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Developmen
Estimating visitor numbers and collecting information on visitor attitudes in Alaska national for... more Estimating visitor numbers and collecting information on visitor attitudes in Alaska national forests is especially challenging because of the dispersed access to the forests by a relatively small number of visitors. The Tongass and Chugach National Forests are each millions of acres with miles of saltwater coastline and numerous lakes that allow almost infinite boat and float plane access points. This study identified a number of methods used by land managers in Alaska and other states to address dispersed recreational access as well as other ongoing data collection processes in Alaska, such as sport fish angler surveys, traveler surveys, and other systematic efforts that generate visitor data. These data may be useful for USDA Forest Service efforts to improve their visitor use monitoring processes
In this report we calculate the economic importance of nature-based tourism in Southeast Alaska a... more In this report we calculate the economic importance of nature-based tourism in Southeast Alaska as measured by business revenue. Our estimates are based on field research conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007. We define nature-based tourism as those tourism activities for which the natural environment is a significant input.1 Our key findings include the following: • Nature-based tourism generates about $277 million per year of direct business revenues in Sitka, Juneau, Chichagof Island, Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg and Wrangell. This number is most likely an underestimate of total revenues because not all naturebased tourism businesses and business sectors could be included in our estimates. Our numbers do not include tips – which in some businesses might add 25% to revenues – or taxes and fess paid directly to local governments. In addition, the especially rainy weather of 2006 probably caused abnormally low sales for some businesses. • Average revenue per visitor varies cons...
The Senate Finance Committee, through its Senate Energy Working Group, has asked a series of impo... more The Senate Finance Committee, through its Senate Energy Working Group, has asked a series of important questions about energy prices, energy costs, and energy use. The Committee also asks the “overarching” question of what can be done to reduce gasoline and heating fuel prices in Alaska? Which of these strategies has the greatest likelihood of success for the least cost to state government? This report contains our responses to both the overarching and specific questions posed. Our answers and recommendations are based on reviews of the most current, publicly available data regarding fuel prices and fuel use. We interviewed numerous agency officials, businesspeople, and residents participating in a range of energy related programs supported by the State of Alaska
Based on data from various sources, this report describes the extent and nature of recreation and... more Based on data from various sources, this report describes the extent and nature of recreation and tourism in south-central Alaska. Current activities, past trends, and prospective developments are presented. Particular attention is given to activities that occur on, or are directly affected by management of, the Chugach National Forest. Recreation and tourism in and around the forest are also placed in a larger context. The Chugach National Forest is heavily used as a scenic resource by motorists and waterborne passengers; road access to the forest supports recreation activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Although the annual rate of increase in visitors to south-central Alaska seems to have slowed in the late 1990s, evidence indicates that currently both visitors and Alaska residents are increasingly seeking active forms of recreation and ?soft adventure.? These demands, combined with likely capacity constraints at well-known attractions in Alaska and en...
While these economic impacts cannot be completely attributed to the presence of designated wilder... more While these economic impacts cannot be completely attributed to the presence of designated wilderness, wilderness characteristics are a significant driver of Alaska visitation. In the summer 2001 Alaska Visitor Statistics Program (AVSP) Visitor Opinion Survey, specific questions regarding wilderness were included. For over 80 percent of respondents, Alaska's wilderness character and the opportunity to see or spend time in wilderness places influenced their decision to come to Alaska and was an important factor in trip planning (Table 1). Wilderness was also important to a decision to visit Alaska again in the future by 73 percent of respondents. Protecting the wilderness character of Alaska was also important to 87 percent respondents. Most also of strongly supported rationing the use of popular wilderness areas to protect the natural environment (80 percent) and animal populations (84 percent). Rationing use to protect opportunities for visitors to be alone and away from crowds was also supported (47 percent) but not as strongly. Data from summer 2012 confirms that Alaska tourism activity revolves around Alaska's national parks, especially Denali (433,000 visitors) and Glacier Bay (359,000 visitors) (McDowell, 2013). Our analysis of summer 2001 expenditure diaries collected by AVSP suggests that more than half the total amount spent by tourists in Alaska comes from people who visit Denali. Visitors to Denali in summer 2001 stayed in Alaska for an average of fourteen days, while all other visitors averaged only eight days. Denali visitors spent $2,300 per party per trip, compared with only $1,100 spent by all other visitors. Similarly, visitors to Katmai National Park and Preserve also spent more days in Alaska and had higher expenditures per trip than the average Alaska visitor (Fay and Christensen, 2010). Several other studies confirm the economic significance of other parks and wilderness areas in Alaska.
This paper provides a simple analysis of the cost of the proposed Susitna-Watana hydroelectric pr... more This paper provides a simple analysis of the cost of the proposed Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project from a ratepayer perspective, using data current as of June 2013. The Susitna Case 1 assumptions include a capital cost of 5.19 billion 2012 dollars, 100% debt financing at 5.0%, and an on-line date of 2024. Under these assumptions plus others described below, the production cost of Susitna power in 2024 would be 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and the cost at a Railbelt customer’s meter would be about 18 cents per kWh.1 By comparison, if natural gas is available to electric utilities in year 2024 at a price of about $9.50 per million btu, and ignoring potential carbon taxes, then the production cost and retail cost of power from a new combined cycle gas turbine going online in 2024 would be about 11 cents and 16 cents per kWh, respectively
National Park Service, Alaska Director's Office. National Park Conservation Association, Alas... more National Park Service, Alaska Director's Office. National Park Conservation Association, Alaska Office.
Palin, has proposed to pay every Alaskan $1,200 to help cover those increased costs. The Alaska L... more Palin, has proposed to pay every Alaskan $1,200 to help cover those increased costs. The Alaska Legislature will be considering the governor’s proposal in the special session that began July 9. How would the proposed payments—about $3,300 for the averagesize Alaska household—compare with recent increases in energy costs? We looked at that question and present our estimates here. But these truly are estimates, because there’s not much current information about the types and amounts of energy Alaska households use. As a basis for estimating increases in home-energy costs—mainly electricity and heating—we used household data from the 2000 U.S. census. That allows us to estimate changes in costs by region and income. With today’s much higher costs, many households probably use less energy now than in 2000—but since we don’t have current data, we had to assume the amounts of energy households consume are the same as in 2000. We have no data on differences in consumption of gasoline or ot...
... The creation of the protocol narrative and SOPs involved the contributions of numerous indivi... more ... The creation of the protocol narrative and SOPs involved the contributions of numerous individuals. Becky Brock, Chief of Concessions, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Katmai National Park and Preserve, was instrumental to the project. ...
… Foundation (available at www. iser. uaa. alaska …, 2007
... economy cannot be directly or precisely measured. The number of cruise ship passengers visiti... more ... economy cannot be directly or precisely measured. The number of cruise ship passengers visiting major ports has more than doubled since 1990, but the linkages between these visitors, the cruise industry, and the associated businesses on shore cannot be quantified with ...
Wind-hydrogen systems provide one way to store intermittent wind energy as hydrogen. We explored ... more Wind-hydrogen systems provide one way to store intermittent wind energy as hydrogen. We explored the hypothesis that an integrated wind-hydrogen system supplying electricity, heat, and transportation fuel could serve the needs of an isolated (off-grid) Alaska community at a lower cost than a collection of separate systems. Analysis indicates that: 1) Combustible Hydrogen could be produced with current technologies for direct use as a transportation fuel for about $15/gallon-equivalent; 2) The capital cost of the wind energy rather than the capital cost of electrolyzers dominates this high cost; and 3) There do not appear to be diseconomies of small scale for current electrolyzers serving a a village of 400 people.
This report summarizes the fiscal effects of the commercial fishing, mining, and tourism industri... more This report summarizes the fiscal effects of the commercial fishing, mining, and tourism industries on Alaska’s state government. The report calculates state revenue collected from each industry and compares it to the state’s expenditures for that industry. What revenue does the State of Alaska receive from commercial fishing? From the mining industry? From tourism? What does the state pay out to manage each resource? While the comparison between the state’s revenue and expenditures is useful information, this report is not an economic benefit-cost analysis.Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Developmen
Estimating visitor numbers and collecting information on visitor attitudes in Alaska national for... more Estimating visitor numbers and collecting information on visitor attitudes in Alaska national forests is especially challenging because of the dispersed access to the forests by a relatively small number of visitors. The Tongass and Chugach National Forests are each millions of acres with miles of saltwater coastline and numerous lakes that allow almost infinite boat and float plane access points. This study identified a number of methods used by land managers in Alaska and other states to address dispersed recreational access as well as other ongoing data collection processes in Alaska, such as sport fish angler surveys, traveler surveys, and other systematic efforts that generate visitor data. These data may be useful for USDA Forest Service efforts to improve their visitor use monitoring processes
In this report we calculate the economic importance of nature-based tourism in Southeast Alaska a... more In this report we calculate the economic importance of nature-based tourism in Southeast Alaska as measured by business revenue. Our estimates are based on field research conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007. We define nature-based tourism as those tourism activities for which the natural environment is a significant input.1 Our key findings include the following: • Nature-based tourism generates about $277 million per year of direct business revenues in Sitka, Juneau, Chichagof Island, Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg and Wrangell. This number is most likely an underestimate of total revenues because not all naturebased tourism businesses and business sectors could be included in our estimates. Our numbers do not include tips – which in some businesses might add 25% to revenues – or taxes and fess paid directly to local governments. In addition, the especially rainy weather of 2006 probably caused abnormally low sales for some businesses. • Average revenue per visitor varies cons...
The Senate Finance Committee, through its Senate Energy Working Group, has asked a series of impo... more The Senate Finance Committee, through its Senate Energy Working Group, has asked a series of important questions about energy prices, energy costs, and energy use. The Committee also asks the “overarching” question of what can be done to reduce gasoline and heating fuel prices in Alaska? Which of these strategies has the greatest likelihood of success for the least cost to state government? This report contains our responses to both the overarching and specific questions posed. Our answers and recommendations are based on reviews of the most current, publicly available data regarding fuel prices and fuel use. We interviewed numerous agency officials, businesspeople, and residents participating in a range of energy related programs supported by the State of Alaska
Based on data from various sources, this report describes the extent and nature of recreation and... more Based on data from various sources, this report describes the extent and nature of recreation and tourism in south-central Alaska. Current activities, past trends, and prospective developments are presented. Particular attention is given to activities that occur on, or are directly affected by management of, the Chugach National Forest. Recreation and tourism in and around the forest are also placed in a larger context. The Chugach National Forest is heavily used as a scenic resource by motorists and waterborne passengers; road access to the forest supports recreation activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Although the annual rate of increase in visitors to south-central Alaska seems to have slowed in the late 1990s, evidence indicates that currently both visitors and Alaska residents are increasingly seeking active forms of recreation and ?soft adventure.? These demands, combined with likely capacity constraints at well-known attractions in Alaska and en...
While these economic impacts cannot be completely attributed to the presence of designated wilder... more While these economic impacts cannot be completely attributed to the presence of designated wilderness, wilderness characteristics are a significant driver of Alaska visitation. In the summer 2001 Alaska Visitor Statistics Program (AVSP) Visitor Opinion Survey, specific questions regarding wilderness were included. For over 80 percent of respondents, Alaska's wilderness character and the opportunity to see or spend time in wilderness places influenced their decision to come to Alaska and was an important factor in trip planning (Table 1). Wilderness was also important to a decision to visit Alaska again in the future by 73 percent of respondents. Protecting the wilderness character of Alaska was also important to 87 percent respondents. Most also of strongly supported rationing the use of popular wilderness areas to protect the natural environment (80 percent) and animal populations (84 percent). Rationing use to protect opportunities for visitors to be alone and away from crowds was also supported (47 percent) but not as strongly. Data from summer 2012 confirms that Alaska tourism activity revolves around Alaska's national parks, especially Denali (433,000 visitors) and Glacier Bay (359,000 visitors) (McDowell, 2013). Our analysis of summer 2001 expenditure diaries collected by AVSP suggests that more than half the total amount spent by tourists in Alaska comes from people who visit Denali. Visitors to Denali in summer 2001 stayed in Alaska for an average of fourteen days, while all other visitors averaged only eight days. Denali visitors spent $2,300 per party per trip, compared with only $1,100 spent by all other visitors. Similarly, visitors to Katmai National Park and Preserve also spent more days in Alaska and had higher expenditures per trip than the average Alaska visitor (Fay and Christensen, 2010). Several other studies confirm the economic significance of other parks and wilderness areas in Alaska.
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