Kootznoowoo Awarded Special Use Permit for Thayer Hydro

On June 20, Kootznoowoo, Inc. received a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) that will allow the corporation to move forward with the next steps of development of the Thayer Hydroelectric Project in Angoon, Alaska. Kootznoowoo has been working on the development of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facility in Angoon for nearly 40 years. The project has seen significant advancement over the past two years. 

"Securing this required permit will greatly benefit Kootznoowoo’s ability to seek out federal and state funding to construct the Thayer Hydro facility and access road,” said Kootznoowoo President & CEO Thomas Wilbur.  “We are grateful to the U.S. Forest staff who have worked diligently with us over the past several months to get this permit issued."

The hydroelectric project is designed to supply a cost-stable source of electricity that will meet 100% of Angoon’s energy needs.  Once complete, the existing diesel power plant will serve as an emergency backup system. This will displace approximately 120,000 gallons of diesel fuel for electrical generation and has the potential to displace an additional 130,000 gallons of heating fuel annually. The hydroelectric project supports federal climate change objectives by avoiding the release of 2,800 tons of CO2 annually.

The Thayer Hydro facility will be located approximately three miles from the community of Angoon. It is expected to cost approximately $29.9 million to construct and is estimated to save up to $1 million annually in energy costs.