A project is underway to replace the lighting at the Beluga Power Plant with more-efficient LED lighting. Beluga personnel are conducting the relamping of the plant, machine shop, warehouse, and mechanic shop buildings.

As the plant was approaching end-of-lifecycle lighting needs, the Beluga employees took the initiative to calculate the energy savings from replacing existing lighting with LED lights. The project is expected to have a payback period of about 1.6 years. The new LED bulbs are more efficient, using approximately 80 percent less power than the older fixtures. In addition to lower costs, the new lighting also provides better overall illumination, enhancing visibility, and providing a safer work environment at Beluga.

Chugach is working with AT&T as it adds small cell equipment around the Chugach service area to improve cellular connectivity in Anchorage. The small cells are designed to improve voice and data services, allowing for faster downloads and better call quality. The equipment is mounted on light poles and serves a small area around the location.  

Each site is separately metered and billed to AT&T by Chugach for the energy used. The small cell equipment uses about one third the energy of an average home.  So far, 42 small cell installations are currently planned in the Chugach service territory, with about 27 completed.  More locations could be added in the future. 

A mobile communications trailer is the latest addition to Chugach’s emergency preparedness. The trailer will be utilized in emergency situations to establish wireless communications with any one of our several communication sites.

In the event of a major outage after a big storm or natural disaster, it can be used to reestablish critical data and voice communications. In an event with major damage, the trailer can be moved to a safe and secure site. The unit is equipped with a standby generator and a 60-foot extendable tower.

Chugach crews had a challenging job in early May, changing out a power pole that was severely damaged from a rockslide triggered by the Nov. 30, 2018 earthquake. The pole is located at Mile 106 of the Seward Highway and serves the community of Rainbow. After planning, coordinating, and securing permits with the Department of Transportation, crews had to hike into the pole site on the side of the mountain. The broken pole had to first be dug out using a small excavator before the new pole could be installed. Chugach worked with Alpha Aviation who provided helicopter support to fly out the damaged pole, and fly in both the excavator and the new pole. The whole job was completed safely and without incident.