Alaska Conservation Solutions

Recycling

The City of Galena’s recycling program is an outstanding example of how working together can make a huge difference. Three separate entities cooperate to collect, backhaul and ship recycling material out of Galena to lower-48 recycling plants. Galena collects batteries, computer screens, drums, transformers and junk cars. These materials are then backhauled by the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) and shipped to lower-48 recycling plants on Crowley Shipping Services.

Aluminum cans are accepted at the Louden City Tribal Council office, which are flown out of Galena by Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) through their Flying Cans Program. For more information please contact Cindy Pilot at Louden City Council, 907.656.1711.

Energy Efficiency

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) offers financial assistance to help Alaskans reduce their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient. For more information on current programs statewide, visit the AHFC website or call The Home Energy Rebate & Weatherization Hotline at 1.877.325.2508.

The City of Galena recaptures the heat produced from the diesel powered engines to heat City Hall and School Room. For more information, contact the City at 907.656.1301.

Renewable Energy

Produce your own, clean energy and live off the grid!

Alaska Energy Authority's "Renewable Energy Atlas of Alaska" shows potential renewable energy resources all over the state. Order a free copy by contacting Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) at 907.929.7770  or download a version here.

Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) has also prepared a Wind Resource Summary specifically for Galena.

Alaska Sun is a coalition of solar businesses, academics, and interested individuals working toward a renewable energy future for Alaska. Established in May 2001, its funding originally came through the National Million Solar Roofs Coalition monies from the U.S. Department of Energy. Its site is now maintained by UAF's Cooperative Extension Service and is dedicated to promoting renewable energy for Alaska.

ABS Alaskan, Inc. maintains a site that discusses renewable energy options, remote power products, tax credits and intertie incentives throughout Alaska.

More Information

Climate, global warming, and daylight charts and data for 2007 in Galena are available here.

The Healing Journey, a YRITWC initiative, seeks to address global warming concerns.

The Louden Tribal Council has passed a resolution prohibiting their local stores from using plastic shopping bags! To promote community acceptance of the ban, Louden used an EPA grant to purchase $2,000's worth of canvas shopping bags for people to use instead. For more information, please contact Louden City Council at 907.656.1711. (For a compelling slide show about plastic bags and the damage they do worldwide, click here.)

The Yukon-Koyukuk Center of the CRCD Interior-Aleutians Campus partnered with the city of Galena, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ABS Alaskan to use leftover solar panels and batteries from decommissioned radio sites to generate power for UAF's Galena facility. The panels generate 440 watts of power in full sunlight, and the batteries hold enough power to sustain the lights and furnace for 48 hours of continuous use.