Tongass National Forest

Swan Lake to Tyee Lake Electrical Intertie

Issue

The Swan Lake-Tyee Lake Intertie, the first leg of the larger Southeast Alaska power grid, is under construction. The intertie will reduce the dependence on diesel fuel, reducing air emissions and the risk of fuel spills. Reliable power is needed to attract new economic opportunities to the communities of Southeast Alaska.

Background

The Swan-Tyee Intertie will run 57 miles overland, connecting Ketchikan’s Swan Lake hydroelectric facility with the Tyee Lake facility serving Wrangell and Petersburg. Existing hydroelectric power is not adequate to meet Ketchikan’s needs, while Wrangell and Petersburg do not use all of Tyee Lake’s generating capacity.

Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU), a municipally owned utility, is constructing the intertie. The State of Alaska transferred hydroelectric facilities at Swan Lake and Tyee Lake to a new entity, the Four Dam Pool, which includes KPU. We expect that the transmission line will ultimately be turned over to the Four Dam Pool.

With rare exceptions, Southeast Alaska communities are not connected by road or other infrastructure common in other parts of the country. Communities operate their own, isolated electrical generation and distribution systems.

The Southeast Alaska Electrical Intertie System Plan calls for links between existing electrical systems serving 19 communities throughout Southeast Alaska. The Swan-Tyee Intertie is Phase I of this larger, planned grid. In August 1997, the Forest Service completed an EIS on the Swan-Tyee project and issued a decision approving an overland route.

The Forest Service issued a Special Use Permit to KPU September 7, 2001. Right of way timber was sold to KPU under a settlement agreement May 20, 2002, and clearing began soon thereafter. Wood from the right of way was processed at the Silver Bay sawmill in Wrangell.

Funding for construction and right of way clearing has been provided through the Department of Energy, the Forest Service, and the State of Alaska.

The power line route crosses the Cleveland and North Revilla Roadless Areas. It was approved prior to the January 2001 Roadless Rule, involves no road construction, and is exempt from the Rule.

Current Situation

KPU and the Forest Service worked closely together to expedite right of way clearing. Clearing was completed in 2003, with the exception of timber associated with units of the Upper Carroll Timber Sale. KPU and the Four Dam Pool expect to award a contract for construction of the towers and power line in spring 2004.

More Information

Jerry Ingersoll, Ketchikan-Misty Fiords District Ranger, (907) 228-4100.

Current as of February 2004

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest Accessibility Statement
Last Modified: November 25, 2007