Multibillion-Dollar Susitna Hydroelectric Dam Makes Progress

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell said Monday that the Susitna hydroelectric dam project is making progress.

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Jul 26, 2011 at 1:21 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 26, 2011 at 1:21 PM AKDT

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell said Monday that the Susitna hydroelectric dam project is making progress.

The Alaska State Legislature approved $66 million for planning this year, and the governor signed a bill directing the Alaska Energy Authority to develop the project.

The governor says that the AEA is recruiting its core project team with a goal of submitting a formal application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in November.

Parnell emphasized that the time for studying the Susitna dam is long past.

"Designing and building a hydro project is kind of like a game of golf…it's a long game. You can't putt your way to building a hydro project of this magnitude. You've got to pick the right driver and when you go to hit the ball, you've got to commit," said Parnell.

The project is estimated to cost $4.5 billion and is scheduled to come on line in 2023, generating 2.6 million megawatt hours of electricity a year.

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