Chugach Electric to study wind power in Portage area

by The Associated Press

Chugach Electric Association is funding a $15,000 study of the feasibility of generating electricity from the wind in the Portage area.

The Anchorage-based power company said it will collect wind and weather information for up to 12 months from a temporary 164-foot tower it will install.

The utility has collected wind data for several years at a number of locations in the Anchorage area as it explores whether to have wind-generated power supplement the natural gas-fueled plants and hydroelectric power it mainly relies on now.