AEA to hold public meetings regarding Susitna Hydro project

The Alaska Energy Authority announced a series of public meetings to be held regarding the potential development of the Susitna Hydro project.

AEA will be hosting an open house at the Talkeetna Elementary on February 28. Other public meetings are scheduled for Fairbanks, Palmer, Anchorage and Kenai.

The Alaska Energy Authority last year came out with a report that concluded that a large hydro project, damming the Susitna River at the Low Watana site, would be the only way to get to the state’s goal of deriving 50 percent of electricity from renewable and alternative sources by the year 2025.

The report says that planning and building the dam would cost $4.5 billion.