Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 26, 2023, Community Happenings

Climate Connection: Decarbonizing cruise ship emissions

It likely will require international consensus, as in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to change the impacts of open-loop scrubbers on ocean-going vessels that add pollution and acidity to our oceans. Also, it likely will require international carbon taxes to motivate ocean-going vessels to switch to carbon-free fuels. Nevertheless, many ports in Europe and on our Eastern seaboard are requiring cruise ships to plug into clean electricity when docked. This, at least, avoids the idling emissions that result from generators on docked cruise ships burning fossil fuels to supply electricity to cruise “hotels” large enough to house whole towns-worth of passengers. These diesel generators provide electricity to power heat, air conditioning, and hot water for guests and staff plus ship operational systems required in port. 

What would it take to electrify Sitka’s deep-water docks? In 2001, Juneau was the first port in the world that electrified a cruise ship dock. Now, Juneau wants to install shore power at two more cruise ship docks downtown. In 2021, the City and Borough of Juneau submitted a federal grant application requesting $20.05 million, which represented about 80% of the projected costs (unsuccessful to date). Such electrification would diminish the greenhouse gas emissions from idling cruise ships that bring tourists to Juneau. The grant application stated that over 20 years, the two additional electrified docks could displace 4.6 million gallons of diesel and avoid 46,314 metric tons of carbon dioxide; 1,681 metric tons of oxides of nitrogen; 1,337 metric tons of sulfur oxides, and 130 metric tons on fine particulate matter (2.5 microns or less). The carbon dioxide adds to global warming. The other pollutants affect respiratory health and contribute to acid rain that affects our forests. The grant proposal estimated that the value of these emission reductions over 20 years was $78 million, per the damage costs provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The benefit-cost ratio was estimated as 3.75. 

Does Sitka want to decarbonize the greenhouse gas emissions of the cruise industry docking in Sitka? Do we want the pollution that comes with this industry in our air and waters? Sitka does not have sufficient hydropower to provide electricity for both building heating and land transportation as we decarbonize our local needs in the coming years. We also do not have adequate electric transmission lines out Halibut Point Road that would allow for dock electrification (or for charging electric buses to bring cruise tourists into town and back). How would we pay for increased renewable power and transmission needed to electrify our deep-water docks?  We need to develop a comprehensive community-wide energy plan that addresses our priorities.  This is a project of our new Sustainability Commission which may need your involvement and ideas. 

--Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka

NOAA Rep to

Discuss Lawsuit

Southeast Alaska salmon trollers and others are invited to join NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Administrator Jon Kurland for an update on NOAA’s response to the Wild Fish Conservancy lawsuit 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Centennial Hall auditorium.

Transfer Station,

Road to Close

A second trash transfer station closure to complete major construction tasks will take place from Monday, May 29, through Thursday, June 1. Waste will not be accepted during this timeframe.

Intermittent road closures to Jarvis Street at the transfer station site may take place.

The facility will reopen 8 a.m.  June 2.

For emergency needs of disposal,  contact Public Works at 907-747-1804 or publicworks@cityofsitka.org to make arrangements.

Industrial Park

Closure Noted

The city’s Gary Paxton Industrial Park scrap yard, 4655 Sawmill Creek Road, will be closed on Tuesday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours will resume on May 31. GPIP scrap yard is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with the exception of observed holidays.

Contact the city Public Works Department with any questions at  907-747-1804.

UAS Announces

Academic Lists

UAS-Sitka Campus has announced its spring semester chancellor’s and dean’s lists.

Students named to the Chancellor’s List are Sheridan L. Bacon and Alexandra S. Gorbacheva.

Dean’s List students are Elijah D. Dumag and Erika L. McConkey.

Honored students are undergraduates admitted to a certificate or degree program. Eligibility is based on a minimum of 12 credits of graded coursework for the semester through the UA system.

Dean’s list students are recognized for achieving a grade point averages between 3.5 and 3.99. Chancellor’s list students are recognized for achieving a grade point average of 4.0.

For more information, visit uas.alaska.edu.

Unitarians to Discuss

‘Building Communities’

Rich McClear will lead a discussion on building communities, real and virtual, at Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship. 

‘‘With McDonald’s closing, a meeting place for Sitkans has disappeared,’’ McClear said. ‘‘It has been the natural place for the coffee klatch. Fishermen, senior citizens and teenagers gathered at McDonald’s at different times of day to talk and socialize. In the past that role was held by Revard’s downtown, and for teens it was ‘The Rock’ on Katlian. What will replace McDonald’s as the gathering place? Or is that place no longer really necessary with social media groups like Sitka Chatters, Sitka Splatters and others?  Problem Corner, which used to be important listening for many Sitkans, has  been  somewhat displaced by online forums.’’ 

Gathering is at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. The Unitarian Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking off Spruce Street.

Mariner’s First Aid,

CPR Class in Sitka

Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a Mariner’s First Aid and CPR/AED class 8 a.m.-3 p.m. June 15 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.

Attendees will receive the U.S. Coast Guard-accepted two-year first aid and CPR certification from the American Safety and Health Institute.

The class will cover CPR and automatic external defibrillators; treatment of choking; medical emergencies; trauma; environmental hazards; patient assessment; medical communications; drowning and hypothermia; and common fishing injuries.

The cost for the class is $125, including sales tax. Mariners may register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.

Story Time Set

Preschool story time will be offered 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at Sitka Public Library.

The program’s theme is “Frozen Treats.” Everybody is welcome. For  information call Maite at (907) 747-4022.

Summer Reading

Program to Launch

The summer reading program at Sitka Public Library begins Saturday, June 3.

‘‘Reading is like a free vacation –  it takes you anywhere you want to go,’’ the library said.

This summer’s theme is ‘‘All together Now.’’ 

It is open to young people, preschool through young adult, with programs, prize drawings, and other activities. Everyone is invited to join the program all through the summer.  

Registration for “All Together Now” begins June 3. For information, call 747 4020 or visit social media and the library’s website.  

All programs are free of charge. 

Summer Snack

Program at Library

Sitka Public Library’s summer snack grab-n-go program is offered 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, June 7-Aug. 2.

Youths can pick up a free bagged snack at the library oceanside window and can choose to participate in a weekly mini scavenger quiz program to enter a weekly drawing raffle for a chance to win fun prizes all through the summer.

Twenty bags are available first-come, first-served. No limitations are based on family income. Registration is not necessary. The program is sponsored by Sitka Conservation Society. For information call 907-747-4022 or e-mail maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Preschoolers Invited

To Mini Camp

Sitka Public Library and the Sitka Sound Science Center will offer Mini Krill and Kids camp for preschoolers 10:30 a.m. June 8 at Sitka Public Library and 10:30 a.m. June 9 at the science center.

Story time, activities, a visit to the aquarium and more are part of the free program. No registration is required. 

For information call 747 4020 or e-mail Kari at kpaustian@sitkascience.org or Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Nature Author

Miller at Library

Debbie S. Miller, author of nature books for adults and children, will present her newest publication, ‘‘Glaciers are Alive,’’ 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at Sitka Public Library. 

The book, released May 9, is an environmental picture book that introduces young science and nature lovers to the wonders of glaciers, the wildlife that call them home, and how important they are to the health of the planet. 

The author will read the book and share about her experience working on the topic. Everybody is welcome. This event is best for children 5 and older.

For information, e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org or call the library at (907) 747 4020.