Damaged transmission line back in service

Petroleum News

Chugach Electric Association said Dec. 19 that the transmission line damaged by the Swan Lake fire is back in service.

Repairs to the line were completed by Homer Electric Association and the line was re-energized Dec. 19, Chugach said. The line had been out of service since Aug. 18, following wildfires on the Kenai Peninsula that began in June.

Chugach said damage to the line was less extensive than first thought, with damage to three structures.

Without access to the line, Chugach was unable to access hydropower from Bradley Lake and was forced to use more expensive natural gas, with the cost to provide power increasing some $2.75 million while the line was out of service.

Chugach said it was recovering the additional costs through its fuel and purchased power rates, with members using an average of 600 kilowatts per month seeing an increase of just under $3 per month. The entire cost is expected to be fully recovered in electric rates by the end of the first quarter 2020.

- Petroleum News