Energy Efficiency Implementation - Holy Cross, Alaska Award Number: DE-EE0007851 CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1, B5.2, B5.16 Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Date: 2/2/2017 Location(s): AK Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
February 7, 2017
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Energy Efficiency Implementation - Holy Cross, Alaska
Award Number: DE-EE0007851
CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1, B5.2, B5.16
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Date: 2/2/2017
Location(s): AK
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide funding to the City of Holy Cross for energy efficiency and retrofitting activities in Holy Cross, Alaska. These activities include light-emitting diode (LED) lighting upgrades, weatherization, and energy efficiency upgrades for individual homes and buildings in the community which would include an HVAC upgrade for the Holy Cross School; expansion of a separately funded waste heat system that would add one building to the planned system; and installation of a 5kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Buildings where this work would occur include the school building, Tribal building, health clinic, water plant, city building, youth center and privately owned homes within Holy Cross.
DOE has reviewed each of the proposed activities and the associated locations where those activities would occur. LED lighting upgrades, weatherization, and energy efficiency upgrades would require only minor modifications to the buildings involved and would not require any ground disturbing activities. There would be no change in the use, mission, or operations of existing facilities. No new permits are required for the proposed activities beyond those already received as part of the existing waste heat expansion project. All work would take place with the express consent of the building owner. The Holy Cross waste heat system being installed is being funded through a loan from USDA Rural Development that will take waste heat from the power plant and send it through a 2 inch pipe to the water plant. As part of this DOE project, the 2 inch pipe that will pass in front of the city building on its way to the water plant would be extended over to the city building where cabinet unit heaters would be installed to reduce the energy use in the city building. The extension of the 2 inch pipe would occur within existing right-of-ways or on city property within existing disturbance. The 5kW PV system planned for the water plant would be grid tied and integrated into the existing electrical system. Installation would be either roof mounted or pole mounted within a previously disturbed area in front of the water plant. Minimal soil disturbance would be required for both the expansion of the waste heat system and the PV installation. All waste associated with the proposed activities (bulbs, windows, doors, etc.) would be handled and disposed of properly either by recycling or disposal in the community landfill. The Holy Cross landfill is active and currently permitted with the State of Alaska.