Author: kfskadmin

The Petersburg City Council Monday voiced support for state funding to study three options for an electrical intertie and road to Kake. There was a mix of public testimony and council discussion on the idea.

The organization that owns the four hydro-electric plants serving Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Copper Valley and Kodiak is ready to split up. But the deal requires unanimous approval from the governing bodies in each of the member communities ……including the Petersburg city council and Wrangell borough assembly. Under the restructuring of the Four Dam Pool Power Agency, the southeast members would split-off and form their own public organization. The new Southeast Power Agency would consist of the Tyee Lake plant serving Petersburg and Wrangell, the Swan Lake plant serving Ketchikan, and a soon-to-be-completed power line connecting the two. Power Agency officials say the split-up would allow the new southeast agency to focus on southeast interests. Power Agency CEO Dave Carlson and other officials held meetings in Wrangell and Petersburg to answer questions about the plan. Reporter Matt Lichtenstein asked Carlson about it ahead of time.

It may be up to a federal judge to decide whether the Forest Service acted illegally when it investigated and suspended a whistleblower employee on the Tongass National Forest. The employee passed away earlier this year, but his widow wants some answers about the agency’s actions and has taken the issue to court.

A former City Councilor from Petersburg, who played a central role in the creation of the Inter-Island Ferry authority, passed away last week.

State Representative Peggy Wilson continued her re-election campaign in Petersburg last weekend. The Wrangell Republican is seeking a fifth term in the state house, representing Petersburg, Wrangell, Sitka and several smaller, nearby towns. Wilson is a nurse by profession and is chair of the house education and social services or “HESS” committee.
Wilson is also on the 12-member Legislative Council which voted unanimously to release the so-called “Troopergate” investigation report. KFSK’s Matt Lichtenstein spoke with Wilson about that report and several other Alaska issues in this extended interview.