Juneau Provides Help for High Electric Bills

The city of Juneau, Alaska, is providing $1 million in energy assistance to thousands of low-income residents whose electricity bills have increased an estimated 447 percent as a result of avalanches that hit near the city in mid- April and wiped out transmission towers and power lines.

The damage forced Juneau to rely on electricity from backup generators fueled by diesel, which is at all-time high prices. This will continue until July when workers can safely repair the damage. Electricity from the generators costs nearly five times as much as power from the hydroelectric dam that serves the city. Under a new program, called Juneau Unplugged, the city hopes to cover 70 percent of the increased portion on household bills and will encourage residents to reduce electricity use to balance out the remaining 30 percent of the increase.

Families below 200 percent of the federal poverty level will qualify for the program; some are pre-qualified by current participation in some federal programs. The United Way of Southeast Alaska and Catholic Community Services is administering the program and five partner agencies are helping with outreach. At least 3,000 customers of Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. are expected to qualify; grant amounts will be determined by how many apply.  

Source: Alaska newspapers

Page Last Updated: May 13, 2008