Anchorage Chamber
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2006

Contact: Gina Anderson, communications specialist

Phone: 907-677-7119

Stacy Schubert, president

Phone: 907-677-7109, Cell: 907-301-4556

Anchorage chamber board of directors supports wind power installation on fire island

Anchorage, AK- The Anchorage Chamber Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution Friday in support of a wind power installation on Fire Island, near Anchorage. Gasoline prices are higher. Electric and natural gas bills are also rising. There is no doubt businesses across Alaska and the nation are feeling the pinch from higher energy costs. The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce clearly recognizes and supports the need for energy alternatives.

The Anchorage Chamber is in step with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in recognizing the need for innovative solutions to providing affordable energy. Since 1973, U.S. energy production has grown only 13 percent, while U.S. energy consumption has increased 30 percent. The demand is projected to continue.

Wind power would help hold down the expense of electricity into the future by helping to mitigate the impact of rising fossil fuel costs. Prevailing easterly winds, mostly out of Turnagain Arm, could generate up to 100 megawatts of wind generation. That is enough to power about 37,000 Anchorage homes every year. Additionally, wind development will create approximately 200 short term construction jobs and seven long term maintenance jobs. Congress recently authorized the Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension through the end of 2007. The PTC is available to tax paying entities investing in qualifying renewable projects and once in the program, is guaranteed for the first 10 years of a project

"The Anchorage Chamber recognizes energy is the lifeblood of the economy; economic prosperity is closely tied to affordable supplies. Wind power is an innovative approach toward providing reliable, cost-effective alternatives," says Mary Ann Pease, Chair of the Anchorage Chamber.

"The Board's top objective is to ensure affordable, reliable energy is available to Alaskans. Wind power on Fire Island certainly falls in line with this goal." says President Stacy Schubert.

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, member-driven business organization with nearly 1,200 members representing 55,000 employees. For businesses interested in membership, annual fees are based on the type of organization and number of full-time year-round employees. More information about the Anchorage Chamber is available on its Web site at http://www.anchoragechamber.org or by calling (907) 272-2401.

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Gina Anderson
Communications Specialist
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
phone 677-7110; fax 272-4117
www.anchoragechamber.org