During a special meeting yesterday, the Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved the appointment of Mark Corsentino, P.E. as Anchorage Hydropower Utility Director, a critical step in reclaiming the Municipality’s voting seat on the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project owners group.
The Hydropower Utility Director is the sole seat representing the Municipality of Anchorage and it has unfortunately been vacant for the past several years, filled by the Municipal Manager or a designee but without voting rights. Mr. Corsentino will continue to serve in his role as General Manager of Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) while taking on this additional duty.
“Mr. Consentino meets the qualifications required to run the Hydropower Utility,” said Assembly Vice Chair Meg Zaletel. “Primarily, he has experience in prudently running a utility and with power transmission along the Railbelt. I pull forward those qualifications specifically because they are key to this issue with the Eklutna Hydropower Project and the 1991 Fish & Wildlife Agreement. In order for the Municipality to reclaim our vote in the agreement, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska has required those particular qualifications as requisites.”
“I challenge the Administration to leverage the Hydropower Utility to create a bright future for Anchorage and Alaskan energy,” added Assembly Chair Christopher Constant. “Not only does this give the Municipality more oversight and input on the Eklutna Hydropower project, it also provides exciting opportunities for the Municipality to pursue new forms of renewable energy in response to the Cook Inlet gas shortage.”
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CONTACT
Christopher Constant | Assembly Chair
District 1, North Anchorage
christopher.constant@anchorageak.gov
Meg Zaletel | Assembly Vice Chair
District 4, Midtown Anchorage
meg.zaletel@anchorageak.gov