Unalaska, AK – Increased fuel and utility costs in Unalaska are prompting the City Council to consider creating a community energy conservation committee.

Although plans for the committee are tentative, the general idea is to have five to seven community members, led by council member Dick Peck, explore and report back to the council and community on ways the city and its residents could conserve energy.

Mayor Shirley Marquardt said the idea for the committee came from this fall's election, in which she heard numerous complaints from local residents about the high cost of electricity on the island.

"It's just hopefully finding some short-term relief for members of the community, and also some short-term changes that the city can do that might pay off in long-term savings, which we could really use right now," she said.

Peck was tapped to lead the committee because of his extensive work in power generation, including a stint as Unalaska's public utilities director. He said Unalaska has a lot of catching up to do on conservation.

"We don't have a conservation policy for the city, and for the community," he said.

Peck said simple gains in efficiency could partially offset the additional costs that will come with the planned expansion of the city's powerhouse. The city's new generators will be more efficient and cheaper in the long run, but in the short term the cost of the expansion will add to the price of electricity generation on the island.

Peck said the city could save a lot of diesel fuel simply by switching to more efficient appliances and compact florescent light bulbs, and by helping residents do the same.

"To buy these things, or to help buy them, is a great decision to help members of this community reduce their overall use of electric energy," he said.

The plan is for the committee to focus on short-term fixes, so conservation isn't dependent on long range plans like geothermal development. Any community members who are interested in being a part of the committee are invited to contact the City Clerk's office at 581-1251.