Questions About Susitna

This is the largest expenditure of public funds in state history. Is a mega-dam really the best use of these funds?
What costs have not been accounted for in the price tag presented for this project? What kinds of transmission upgrades, access work, etc have not been included?
Large projects in Alaska have had a history of running way over budget. What is the likelihood project development would run over on cost?
Who would absorb the burden of cost over-runs or project underperformance?
Is it appropriate for Alaska to subsidize Railbelt energy with such a massive earmark? And is this cost effective when it has been proven time and again that energy efficiency measures pay back so much more effectively and quickly?
Will there be any money left over for renewable energy projects with fewer impacts? Energy efficiency? Transportation? Education?
Is the state directly engaged in studying alternatives to Susitna to obtain our renewable energy goals?
What impacts will this have on aquatic environment and the salmon that depend on the Susitna River for spawning?
In depth studies of the fish, wildlife, and area that could be inundated by this project are almost 30 years old. What new studies will be performed to find out what has changed in that interval and answer the questions left unresolved in the 80s?
What new studies will be performed to assess potential impacts to salmon and other fish downstream from the dam?
It was assumed in the 80s that no salmon migrated above Devil Canyon, though hundreds of salmon have been found more recently. What work will be done to estimate the true number of salmon migrating into the reservoir area and, importantly for species with dynamic populations, over how many years? What measures could be taken to allow passage of these salmon beyond the dam?
What could the impacts be to moose, caribou, black bears, raptors, and passerines?
What could the financial impacts to commercial and sport fishing industry be from this proposed dam?
There is a lot of uncertainty inherent in climate modeling and sea ice retreat and glacial recession is occurring faster than anyone predicted in many areas of the world. What kind of certainty is there that changes in seasonal flows due to climate change would not limit the useful life of this proposed project?

What assurances are available the project would not underperform?

What kind of analysis will be conducted to assess the longer term social impact of another boom and bust if billions of dollars are poured into a short term explosion of construction?

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