SILVER SPRINGS COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN
September 2012
High-energy costs for heating, electricity and transportation are an economic burden on
the residents, businesses and organizations of Silver Springs. While fossil fuels play a
key role in meeting current energy demands, renewable resources are likely to meet
future demands. This plan provides an overview of Silver Springs’s energy issues, needs,
projects and priorities. It will serve as a guide for future energy projects in the
community and incorporated into the broader Copper River Basin Regional Energy Plan.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Location: Silver Springs is located along the Richardson Highway, just south of
Glennallen. It is on the west bank of the Copper River, just south of its junction with the
Tazlina River.
Climate: The area experiences a continental climate, with long, cold winters and
relatively warm summers. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -74 to 96 °F.
Annual snowfall averages 39 inches, with total precipitation of 9 inches per year.
Legal Entities
• Regional: The Copper River Basin is classified as an “Unorganized Borough”
thus; there is no regional or municipal government in the region.
• Local: Association of Silver Springs Area Residents
Population & Growth Rates: 108 (2011 Alaska Department of Labor Estimate)
According to US Census data, the population of Silver Springs has been declining over
the past 2 decades: 2010 = 114 - 2000 = 130
Economy: The economy is based on local services and businesses, the National Park
offices, and highway-related tourism. Two RV Parks and three riverboat charter services
operate from Copper Center. Many Native residents depend on subsistence hunting,
fishing, trapping, and gathering.
The 2006-2010 American Community Survey (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars)
• Number Employed: 63
• Unemployed: 4 (6%)
• Not in Labor Force: 26 (28%)
• Private Sector Employment: 23 (26.5%)
• Public Sector Employed: 26 (41.3%)
• Subsistence: The majority of the residents participate in subsistence activities.
• Average Median Household Income: $85,625
• Per Capita Income: $39,645
• Below Poverty Level: 0
Transportation: The Richardson Highway connects to all major population areas of the
state year-round. Residents use the airport at Glennallen.
Housing: Households - types of housing – heating fuel used
• 2010: 44 households – 36 owner-occupied – 8 renter-occupied
• 2000: 46 households – 44 owner-occupied – 2 renter-occupied
• 1990: Not available
Utilities:
• Water/Sewer: The majority of homes use individual water wells and septic tanks.
Others haul treated well water from sites in the area. A private Glennallen firm
delivers water to home storage tanks for a fee.
• Solid Waste: Copper Basin Sanitation provides garbage pickup service and the
Glennallen landfill is also used.
• Electricity: Copper Valley Electric Association
• Home Heating: Oil/wood
• Gasoline/Diesel: The closest gasoline stations are located in Tazlina and
Glennallen
Public Facilities
ENERGY RESOUCRES, PROJECTS AND PRIORITIES
Renewable Energy Resources
Biomass: The Copper River Basin contains abundant biomass resources that could
displace expensive heating oil for homes and community facilities to reduce costs and
potentially create local jobs in the community.
Wind: Site-specific tests and feasibility studies need to be conducted to determine the
potential of this resource.
Hydro:
Solar: Long daylight hours from spring until fall would indicate that solar energy may be
a viable resource to reduce energy costs.
• Solar Thermal: Hot water typically represents a significant percentage of
residential energy costs and most homes and facilities in Silver Springs require
small amounts of heat at night that is currently provided by oil or wood. Solar
thermal may provide a viable resource to replace oil and/or wood.
• Solar Electric: According to most experts, the technology for solar electricity is
not yet developed to make it financially feasible for Alaska. Studies are needed to
determine the feasibility solar thermal.
Geothermal: Although geothermal is believed to exist in this region, cost would be
prohibitive for a small community to conduct reconnaissance studies or develop the
resource.
Current Energy Projects: None
Potential Plans and Priorities
1) Reduce energy consumption
•
•
Plan: Conduct energy efficiency studies on home and businesses to identify
conservation measures that can reduce consumption
Priority:
2) Assess the availability of renewable energy resources
•
•
Plan: Conduct reconnaissance studies to assess the potential availability of solar,
wind, biomass and other renewable resources.
Priority:
3) Assess the feasibility of utilizing renewable resources that are available in sufficient
quantities to develop to reduce energy costs with homes, businesses and organizations
• Plan: Conduct feasibility studies on renewable energy systems
• Priority:
4) Human Resources: Silver Springs has limited staffing to work on energy projects.
Given the importance of reducing energy costs to the community there is need to create
adequate staffing to address energy issues identified in this plan.
• Plan(s): Form an Energy Committee to address energy issues – prioritize energy
issues with exiting staff/programs where appropriate - seek additional funding for
human resources to address energy issues
• Priority:
Participation in Regional and Statewide Energy Planning: Regional and statewide
energy projects can potentially reduce energy costs for Silver Springs and the community
needs to ensure they have a voice in the decisions that are made.
• Plan: Participate in regional and statewide energy planning
• Priority:
CONCLUSION:
Silver Springs
Demographics and Energy Data Sheet
Government
Legal Entities:
Population
Population: 108 (2011)
Composition: 103 white – 11 Alaska Native (2010)
Growth rates: 2000 = 114 – 2010 = 130
Economy
# Employed: 63 – Unemployment Rate: 4 (6%) – Not in Labor Force: 26 (28%) Private Sector: 23
(26.5%) Public Sector Employment: 26 (41.3%) - Median Income: $85,625 – Per Capita Income:
$39,645 – Below Poverty: 0
Primary Employers: Government - Small Businesses
Licensed businesses: 0
Housing
Households: 44 Owner-occupied: 36 – Renter-occupied: 8
Facilities
Utilities
Water: Individual wells - water haul services – no piped water system
Sewer: Individual sewer systems – no piped community system
Solid Waste: Garbage pickup service
Electricity
2011
Provider: Copper Valley Electric Association
Power Plant: diesel generators - hydro
2012 Rates:
2011 Rates: $ cents per KWH
Power Cost Equalization: cents kWh
Total Generated 2011: 974,458 kWh
Average Residential Rate: 19.87 cents/kWh
Heating Fuels
Community Facilities: Fuel Oil
Residential: Fuel oil/wood
Fuel Oil Price: $4.15 per gallon (under 200 gal.) - $4.00 per gallon (over 200 gal.)
Cordwood Price: $200 - $250 per cord when available - Bulk Fuel: None
Transportation
Primary Source: Motor vehicle
Gasoline Price:
Diesel:
Bulk Fuel: None
Energy Projects
None
Potential
Projects
Energy conservation – recon studies of renewable energy resources – feasibility studies for renewable
energy systems – participation in regional and statewide energy planning