Haines Borough Energy Sustainability Commission

• Haines Borough Resolution 08-06-123

A Resolution of the Haines Borough Assembly Appoint an ad-Hoc Energy and Sustainability Commission and authorizing the Borough Manager to Contract an Energy and Sustainability Coordinator to Assist the Borough in Maintaining and Ensuring Energy Security. Adopted June 10, 2008.

You may download a copy of Haines Borough Resolution 08-06-123 here: Download

• Commission Rules & Procedures.

You may download a copy of the Energy & Sustainability Commission's Rules and Procedures here: {Download]

• Commission Focus Statements, 2008.

The Commission adopted 4 focus statements at its January 6, 2009 meeting.

• Sustainable Energy is  the efficient use of energy resources produced from local renewable sources at a reasonable cost while minimizing adverse impacts to the economy, environment, or lifestyle of the community.
• Commission will develop an energy use profile to document current energy usages within the borough and identify anticipated energy usage changes necessary to achieve sustainability. 
• The Commission will support and promote an energy conservation and efficiency plan that includes but is not limited to public education (e.g. Energy Talk, Energy Fair); presentations on energy conservation strategies and efficiency measures within the borough. 
• The Commission will concentrate on two major areas of new renewable energy production, biomass and hydro, with the understanding that other renewable energy options (e.g. wind, tidal, solar, etc.) can be considered in the energy mix as both immediate sources of energy and possible long term additional sources.

• Commission Re-Purpose Statements, 2009.

These goals were developed and adopted by the Commission September 22. The Commission was extended for a second year by unanimous vote of the Haines Borough AssemblyOctober 13, 2009.

• Recommend to the Borough Assembly legislative initiatives that may be particularly beneficial to residents and to the community.
• Work with Planning Commission to include issues related to energy consumption and renewable energy in the Haines Borough Comprehensive Plan.
• Monitor and discuss energy consumption/cost in all Borough and School District facilities for the purpose of reducing consumption and cost.
• Analyze and make recommendations on findings of the Wood Heat Feasibility Study.
• Analyze and make recommendations on the development of additional hydroelectric resources in the Haines Borough.
• Review and update the Haines Borough Conservation Plan.
• Seek and support additional sources of renewable energy in the Haines Borough.
• Support staff and public awareness of energy conservation behaviors and energy efficiency retrofits and strategies including energy saving performance contracts and energy audits in public and private buildings.
• Recognize energy savings actions on the part of Borough management and staff.
• Provide on-going public education about energy conservation and efficiency by hosting workshops and other public events including an annual Energy Fair and maintenance of an information-rich Commission website.
• Research and report on opportunities for funding energy in the residential and commercial sectors.
• Increase awareness of scholarship and training opportunities for borough students and residents in "green energy jobs."