Unalaska, AK – As the City considers energy relief measures, they are also keeping in mind long-term alternative energy options. Public Utilities Director Dan Winters recently flew over Makushin volcano to examine the terrain for a potential geothermal project. He said development of the area seems difficult.

"The terrain is pretty rugged through there. It's going to take a $20 million bridge just to come off of ST-1, which is one of the big producer wells," he said. "Then you have a canyon you have to go down and across the valley."

The City has $3 million for exploratory drilling in Makushin Valley, but Winters said the company that owns the geothermal fluid is asking for too much money to use it. It would drive the cost of energy up too high for consumers.

Wind power is also a possibility in Unalaska, but the city wants to start small. "We're looking at small vertical windmills for the top of the powerhouse. The systems we're looking at are easily managed, and that will probably be going to the council in the spring to ask for money for those, for a test."

Winters says the infrastructure needed for larger scale wind power is too expensive for the city to pursue it right now. If the city were to buy large-scale windmills, they would also need mechanics and a shop for fixing them and cranes for moving them if they break.

But the city will buy power from Westward Seafoods if they produce excess with their wind project. Two individuals are also installing residential wind turbines. Winters says the city needs to develop ordinances on turbine size, safety, and noise before more can be installed.