Electric Load Forecast for Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Petersburg, and Wrangell, 1990-2010

Abstract

The study area is composed of the Alaskan communities of Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Petersburg, and Wrangell. In this report we call the area Lower Southeast Alaska (LSE). Like that of Southeast Alaska as a whole, the LSE economy is built on timber (logging, lumber, and pulp), fishing, and tourism. Hard rock mining is an emerging but still relatively unimportant basic sector. Although the region has felt the positive effects of the statewide oil boom through increased construction of public buildings and government employment at all levels, it is far less reliant on the petroleum industry than is the rest of the state. Instead, the people of Southeast Alaska are heavily exposed to swings in the world market prices of wood and fish products. The tourism industry has been growing steadily. This report provides information and scenarios for projections of electricity usage for these communities.