Skagway Assembly awards $100,000 shore‑power feasibility study to KPFF Engineers

The Skagway Assembly on Oct. 16 voted to award a shore‑power feasibility and infrastructure needs assessment contract to KPFF Engineers in an amount not to exceed $100,000. The motion passed on a 5‑yes roll call.

Supporters said the study is a necessary, early step to determine whether and how shore power could be deployed at the Port of Skagway and how the town might connect to proposed regional power projects. "I personally am supportive of this even though it might not result in a good return on investment, but it's clean power that doesn't pollute our air and water," Assembly member Woodell said during debate.

Manager Dietz told the assembly the municipality has $100,000 budgeted for the study in FY25 but expects the work to extend into FY26 and for staff to include funding in the capital projects budget as needed. Dietz also noted ongoing conversations with Burrow Creek Holdings about potential regional hydro sources.

Public comment before the vote flagged cost and logistical constraints. Local resident Sherry Corrington told the assembly that electrifying a port can be expensive and may be limited by grid capacity, citing experiences in Juneau and Miami: "That's a lot of money, but for a $100,000... I wanna know, like, did we look at what Juno's plan was and how much that they're looking at," she said.

Assembly members discussed realistic expectations: some said the town could only power a limited number of vessels while others pointed to potential external funding sources, including cruise lines and regional grants. The assembly made no commitment to construction; the contract will produce technical findings, cost estimates and options for next steps.

The KPFF assessment will examine uplands, infrastructure needs, electrical capacity and vessel‑interface logistics; the study results are expected to inform subsequent budget decisions and assembly deliberations.