The city of Juneau, Alaska's capital and popular cruise destination, was hit by a devastating avalanche last month that cut the electric lines that power the city with hydroelectricity. The disaster has forced the city to transform its ways and become a model for energy conservation.
A dangerous snow slide occurred on the coastal range of the city on April 16th, 2008. The avalanche destroyed power lines that control the city's hydroelectric dam which supplies 80% of the electricity in the city.
Luckily, officials were prepared for disaster with backup diesel generators that could help lessen the troubles. The worst of the problems had to do with the expense. Residents were told to expect their electricity bills to skyrocket; most likely to quintuple in price over the three to four months it would take to repair the damage. In light of this, citizens have cut back on their energy consumption in a major way.
City authorities are doing their part to conserve energy as well. The municipal sauna has closed down for the time being, and elevators in the central library are shut. The airport has turned off the runway lights while planes are neither landing nor taking off. Businesses are also cutting back. Televisions in shop windows are unplugged, and light bulbs are being switched to energy saving alternatives or taken out.
"Turn off, turn down, unplug," says Sarah Lewis, chairwoman of the Juneau Commission on Sustainability. "That's what everyone is doing and being vigilant about and commenting when others are not." (Quoted in The Independent)
The city of Juneau has achieved what researchers had thought impossible; they've cut back their consumption by 30% in just a month. With a population of 30,000 it's obvious now that everyone has been doing their part.
Homeowners have been the biggest contributing factor to the cutbacks. They've done everything from lighting paraffin lamps to setting up the clotheslines. Tumble dryers are a huge waste of electricity and citizens of Juneau have decided they aren't worth it at this time.
The energy is estimated to be turned on in the coming months, maybe not until the beginning of July. After that time officials hope to keep some of the conservation plans in order.
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This post was written by Christine Pinella on May 22, 2008