(JUNEAU) - Members of the Southeast Alaska Legislative Caucus proclaimed their strong support for the Southeast Alaska Intertie Project on Friday. The project will eventually connect all the communities of Southeast Alaska with an electric transmission grid.

"We have an abundance of hydroelectric power available in Southeast Alaska, and the lack of an interconnected system has deprived many communities from receiving the benefits of this renewable energy resource", said Southeast Caucus Chair Representative Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell). "Many of our communities continue to generate electricity with diesel fuel, which takes a toll on both the environment and the energy customer's wallet."

The Southeast Conference, a regional, nonprofit corporation that advances the collective interests of the people of Southeast Alaska, has been working hard for the past several years to advance the intertie. Recently, the Southeast Conference prioritized the Juneau to Hoonah and the Petersburg to Kake interties as the next segments for the system. When the system is complete, an electrical grid will provide renewable and clean hydroelectric power throughout Southeast Alaska.

Members of the Southeast Caucus include Sen. Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell), Sen. Kim Elton (D-Juneau), Sen. Georgianna Lincoln (D-Rampart), Rep. Bill Williams (R-Saxman), Rep. Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell), Rep. Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau), Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau), Rep. Albert Kookesh (D-Angoon). Although members of the Southeast Legislative Caucus represent diverse political philosophies, they agree that the Southeast Alaska Intertie Project is vital to the future of Southeast Alaska and should be completed as soon as possible.

"Hydroelectric power is good, clean, affordable energy for our communities," caucus member Rep. Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau) said. "It has been great to see our entire Southeast Caucus pull together to support the intertie."

"The intertie is vital to the economic viability of Southeast Alaska," caucus member Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau) said.

"Southeast Alaskan communities have been economically hammered over the past several years and reliable, reasonably priced electricity will help nurture economic growth in our region," caucus member Senator Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell) said.

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