I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, make the following findings:
Findings
- The City of Kwethluk suffered a power system failure on December 12, 2013, after its two main generators failed. Due to extreme cold winter temperatures approaching negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the City took emergency protective measures to protect the life and safety of the people and property from damage. The City rationed power using a single small auxiliary generator. This auxiliary generator was able to restore a limited power source to all but 12 structures in the community.
- The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) responded to the City with technical assistance to support efforts to attempt to repair the system. However, the City was unable to repair the two main power generators and restore full power to the community. AEA contacted the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) for emergency authorization to deploy electrical workers and supplies to the City to avoid further damage to the power system and other infrastructure in the community.
- I have determined this power failure poses a direct and imminent threat of a disaster of sufficient magnitude and severity to justify State action. I, therefore, find it appropriate that money from the disaster relief fund be expended in accordance with the AS 26.23.020 (h) to cover the emergency response costs incurred by AEA for emergency repairs to the system authorized through the SEOC.
Order
Under the authority of AS 26.23.020(h), I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, hereby order:
Consistent with AS 26.23.020, expenditures be made from the disaster relief fund to cover eligible emergency response costs for the emergency repairs to the Kwethluk Power Plant completed by AEA and authorized through the SEOC. The amounts of these expenditures are not to exceed $6,000.
This Order takes effect immediately.
Dated this 27th day of December 2013, at Juneau, Alaska
/s/Sean Parnell
Governor
