TAZLINA COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN
September 2012
High-energy costs for heating, electricity and transportation are an economic burden on
the residents, businesses and organizations of Tazlina. This plan provides an overview of
Tazlina’s energy issues, needs, projects and priorities. It will serve as a guide for future
energy projects in the community and be incorporated into the broader Copper River
Basin Regional Energy Plan.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Location: Tazlina is located 5 miles south of Glennallen on the Richardson Highway, at
mile 110.5. It is comprised of several small residential subdivisions and a business
district. Copperville, Aspen Valley, Tazlina Terrace, and Copper Valley School Road are
all part of this area.
Climate: Tazlina is located in the continental climate zone, with long, cold winters, and
relatively warm summers. Temperature extremes range from -74 to 96 °F. Annual
snowfall averages 39 inches, with total annual precipitation of 9 inches.
Legal Entities:
 Regional: The Copper River Basin is classified as an “Unorganized Borough”
thus; there is no regional or municipal government in the region.
 Local: Association of Tazlina Residents
 Tribal: Native Village of Tazlina
Population & Growth Rates: 307 (2011 Alaska Department of Labor Estimate).
According to US Census data, the population of Copper Center has been increasing over
the past 3 decades: 2010 = 297 - 2000 = 149 1990 = 247
Economy: Some residents depend on subsistence fishing and hunting. Local businesses
include a combined grocery, liquor, hardware, gas, and sporting goods store, a wholesale
bread distributor, a freight service, and an RV park. Offices with Division of Forestry,
state highway maintenance, Division of State Parks, Division of Communications and
Copper Valley Development Association are located in the area.
The 2006-2010 American Community Survey (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars)
 Number Employed: 151
 Unemployment Rate: 8.5%
 Not in Labor Force: 36.8%
 Private Sector Employment: 58.3%
 Public Sector Employed: 34.4%
 Subsistence: Many residents participate in subsistence activities year-round.
 Average Median Household Income: $60,781
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Per Capita Income: $31,009
Below Poverty Level: 13.1%
Transportation: Tazlina is located on the Richardson Highway. There is a state-owned
900' long by 42' wide gravel airstrip and a seaplane facility at Smokey Lake.
Housing: Households - types of housing – heating fuel used
 2010: 111 households – 79 owner occupied – 32 rental occupied
 2000: 59 households - 38 single family – 21 rental occupied
 1990: 80 households
Utilities:
 Water/Sewer: Occupied homes are fully plumbed. The majority of residents have
individual wells and septic systems. Others haul well water from the Copper
Center Safewater well or have water delivered by truck from Glennallen.
 Solid Waste: Copper Basin Sanitation provides refuse collection services.
 Electricity: Copper Valley Electric Association
 Home Heating: Oil/wood
 Gasoline/Diesel: A gasoline station is located in Tazlina.
Public Facilities
 Tazlina Community Hall:
 8 Unit Residential Apartment Building: Operated by Copper River Regional
Housing Authority
 Health Clinic:
 Division of Forestry
 DOT State Highway Maintenance
 Division of State Parks
 Division of Communications
 Copper Valley Development Association
ENERGY PROJECTS, POTENTIAL RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES
Energy Projects: Tazlina currently has no community energy projects underway,
however it is anticipated that a biomass energy system will be designed for the new
Copper River Native Association facility that is to be constructed in Tazlina next year.
POTENTIAL ENERGY RESOURCES

Geothermal: Although geothermal is believed to exist in this region, cost would
be prohibitive for a small community to conduct reconnaissance studies or
develop the resource.

Wind: Wind potential is not believed to be substantial however, site-specific tests
need to be conducted to determine the potential of this resource.

Hydro: Not available in sufficient quantity to develop

Solar: Long daylight hours from early spring through fall would indicate that
solar energy may be a viable resource to reduce energy costs.
Solar Electric: Most energy experts agree that solar electric technology is
not yet advanced enough to justify the high costs of solar electric systems for
those with access to the electric grid. Solar radiation data would provide useful
information to gage the breakeven point as new technologies are developed.
Solar Thermal: Hot water typically represents a significant percentage of
residential energy consumption and most homes and facilities in Tazlina require
small amounts of heat at night during summer months that is currently provided
by oil or wood. Solar thermal may provide a viable resource to replace oil and/or
wood for these purposes.
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Biomass: The Copper River Basin contains abundant biomass resources that
could displace expensive heating oil for homes and community facilities to reduce
costs and potentially create local jobs in the community.
POTENTIAL PROJECTS
Energy Conservation: Residents and business need information on energy conservation
measures that can be taken to reduce consumption.
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Plan: Conduct energy efficiency studies on homes and businesses to identify
conservation measures that can be taken to reduce energy costs
Priority:
Renewable Energy Development: Residents and business owners need information on
the availability and feasibility of using renewable resources for reducing energy costs for
homes and businesses.
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Plan: Conduct reconnaissance studies to identify renewable resources including;
solar, wind, hydro, and biomass that could be developed.
Priority:
Participation in Regional Energy Decisions: Regional and statewide energy projects
have the potential to reduce energy costs for Tazlina and residents need to ensure they
have a voice in the decisions that are made.
 Plan: Provide information to residents on potential projects and how they can
participate in the decision making process
 Priority:
Residential Energy Planning: Planning is needed to reduce energy costs with homes
and housing facilities.
Plan:
 Conduct energy efficiency studies on home and housing facilities to identify
conservation measures that can be taken to reduce energy costs
 Conduct a feasibility study on converting homes and housing facilities to biomass
 Conduct a feasibility study on incorporating solar thermal or other technologies to
reduce energy costs for homes and housing facilities
 Identify resources to help home owners and facility managers implement
conservation measures and renewable energy systems
Priority:
Human Resources: Tazlina has limited staffing to work on energy projects. Given the
importance of reducing energy costs to the community there is need to create adequate
staffing to address energy issues identified in this plan.
 Plan(s): Form an Energy Committee to address energy issues – prioritize energy
issues with exiting staff/programs where appropriate - seek additional funding for
human resources to address energy issues
 Priority:
Participation in Regional and Statewide Energy Planning: Regional and statewide
energy projects can potentially reduce energy costs for Tazlina and the community needs
to ensure they have a voice in the decisions that are made.
 Plan: Participate in regional and statewide energy planning
 Priority:
CONCLUSION:
Tazlina
Demographics and Energy Data Sheet
Government
Legal Entities:
Population
Population: 307 (2011)
Composition in 2010: 164 white – 100 Alaska Native – 32 - 2 or more races
Growth rates: 1990 = 247 - 2000 = 149 – 2010 - 297
Economy
# Employed: 151 – Unemployed: 14 – Private: 88 Public: 52 – In Poverty: 40
Primary Employers: Tribal Organizations– Government - Small Businesses
Licensed businesses: 4
Housing
Owner Occupied Homes: 79
Rental Occupied Units: 32
Community
Facilities
Existing Facilities: Community Hall – State Forestry – DOT New Construction: Copper River Native Association
Utilities
Water: Individual or shared wells – central water hauling point - no piped water system
Sewer: Individual sewer systems –- no community sewer system
Solid Waste: Garbage pickup service
Electricity
(2011)
Provider: Copper Valley Electric Association
Power Plant: diesel generators – hydro power
Rates: cents
Power Cost Equalization: cents kWh
Total Generated 2011: kWh
Average Residential Rate: cents kWh
Heating Fuels
Community Facilities: Fuel Oil
Residential: Fuel oil/wood
Fuel Oil Price: $4.15 per gallon (under 200 gal.) - $4.00 per gallon (over 200 gal.)
Cordwood Price: $200 - $250 per cord when available - Bulk Fuel: None
Transportation
Primary Source: Motor vehicle
Gasoline Price: $4.38
Diesel Price:
Bulk Fuel: None
Energy Projects
None
Potential
Projects
Renewable Energy: Conduct reconnaissance studies to determine the availability of wind, solar, hydro,
biomass and other renewable energy resources in Tazlina.
Feasibility Studies: Conduct feasibility studies to identify cost effective alternative energy systems that
could be developed to reduce energy costs for homes, businesses, organizations and public facilities.
Participation in Energy Planning: Increase citizen awareness of and participation in the decision-making
process on regional and statewide energy projects that could reduce energy costs for residents of Tazlina.