Chugach Electric Association approaced the Girdwood Board of Supervisors earlier this winter about upgrading and expanding their existing substation in Old Girdwood.  The upgrade would include new lower profile equipment that would increase reliability and the expansion would be to adjacent lots already owned by the Chugach Electric in order to accommodate increased demand for electricity in the future.  Chugach Electric was looking to obtain a permit in 2009 in order to construct the project in 2010.

Chugach Electric's plans were met with very stiff resistance from adjacent property owners, most of whom, if not all, purchase their property well after the construction of the substation in the 1960's.  This triggered a discussion to move the substation to another location.  Chugach Electric's representatives estimated that relocating the substation could cost as much as $3M to $5M and would likely have to be borne by the 1,620 metered locations (as much as just over $3,000 per metered location).

A subcommittee of the Girdwood Board of Supervisors, Land Use Committee, has been formed in order work with Chugach Electric Association in determining alternative sites for the substation.  It is Chugach Electric's hope that alternative sites can be recommended to them by the committee by March 15, 2009 so that they can evaluate each site and respond by May 15, 2009 with the following site specific information in order to keep the project on schedule:

• Feasibilty.
• Amount of land required.
• Overview of work.
• Estimated cost.
• Net out cost (cost of moving substation, as opposed to originally proposed upgrade and expansion).
• Estimate per-meter assessment.

For more information you may contact Jerry Reichlin, Land Use Committee President, and Dora Gropp, Chugach Electric.