Unalaska, AK – The city council decided to give residents $60 monthly utility bill rebates at their meeting on Friday. The rebate program will last 12 months and apply to the 381 residential meters that also qualify for the Power Cost Equalization program. The rebate program will cost the city about $275,000. Council member Dick Peck said this will help residents deal with the cost of living that has not gone down despite the decrease in international oil prices.

The council also decided to bond for $25 million to build the new powerhouse. The city is authorized to bond for up to $30 million, but the council decided they would rather seek the remaining $5 million from state and federal grants. Doing so would decrease the amount of interest the city will need to pay back. City Manager Chris Hladick said they can bond for the remaining $5 million at a later date if necessary.

The city will also try to reduce energy costs by installing a waste heat recovery system in the power plant. The system would capture the waste heat produced by the plant and turn it back into electricity. The public utilities department is seeking a $2 million grant from the Alaska Energy Authority for the equipment.

In other council business, former council member Zoya Johnson was appointed to the planning commission and platting board, the new bridge was officially named the Agaadaa Bridge, and the city is organizing a statehood celebration planning committee. If you are interested in joining the committee, call Debra Mack at 581-1251.