In its continuous efforts to become sustainable, Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska) announced that it would transition from diesel generation to primarily hydroelectric power.
In a release, Park Superintendent Philip Hooge said the agreement allows the vision of the Fall’s Creek hydroelectric land exchange to be realized. With this, the Park and Community of Gustavus will be on sustainable power and have lower electrical rates.
The agreement was possible because of the private and public partnership between Alaska Power & Telephone and the National Park Service.
The project has cut down the park’s expected greenhouse gas emissions by about 600 tons of carbon dioxide every year.
The release highlighted that carbon dioxide emissions resulting from humans are the leading cause of global climate change. It has a significant impact on the park’s resources, including glaciers.
Glacier Bay has used diesel for over 80 years to support the park’s frontcountry operations at Bartlett Cove, serving over 30,000 guests annually.
Glacier Bay National Park will join the community and transition to renewable hydropower following the completion of the Gustavus intertie project, making Glacier Bay National Park a principal client of the AP&T utility. This could result in a new lower-cost structure that will apply to all customers.
Opportunity exists for the park’s systems to provide additional power backup for the community. The park will electrify more of its remaining systems, including heating, land vehicles, and marine vessels, to fully utilize the Fall’s Creek capacity, especially as rate structures evolve to encourage off-peak use.
“This effort has required perseverance and unique solutions from Alaska Power & Telephone, the local community, and the Federal government to see all of a remote Alaska community on sustainable and affordable power,” Hooge said.
Glacier Bay National Park offers outdoor recreation opportunities featuring breathtaking views of the great outdoors.
According to its website, the free walk-in campground in Bartlett Cove features bear-proof food storage caches, composting toilets, a fire pit on the beach, and a small warming shelter.
Featured image from Glacier Bay National Park.