Clinton Miller, 87,
Services Pending
Clinton Owen Miller, longtime Sitka resident, passed away peacefully with family at his side Thursday morning. He was 87.
Arrangements are pending.
Climate Connection: Energy Efficiency Codes
About 30% of Sitka’s carbon footprint is attributable to its residential buildings. Currently, Alaska has no statewide energy efficiency building codes, a status shared with only eight other states. However, the Alaska legislature is encouraging energy efficiency codes for new and renovated building throughout the state. Plus, to be eligible for building financing through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, buildings must comply with the Alaska Housing Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES). Sitka, as a “home rule” borough, is responsible for implementing building codes locally based on national model codes, but most building codes focus more on structural integrity and safety than energy efficiency. Energy codes apply to the building materials, design, and construction of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and lights, as well as such things as heating efficiency, air leakage, moisture resistance, and ventilation. If we had energy efficiency standards for new buildings, additions, and remodeling, that would help ensure efficiency throughout a building’s lifetime. Getting buildings off fossil fuels can result in life cycles of up to 150 years, i.e., a better return on investment.
Model energy efficiency standards are published every three years and adopted by many states and communities. The International Code Council published its latest International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) in 2021 for both residential and commercial buildings. The American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1-2022 standard for commercial buildings dates from January 2023 and includes site requirements. Communities tend to be behind in adopting specific standards, but keeping updated to current standards can have significant long-term benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy has documented the cost-benefit analyses of current codes in comparison to preceding generations of codes.
Municipalities incur costs when instituting model energy codes – for materials, training, community education, and compliance inspections. Construction may cost more. However, the savings in carbon emissions and energy costs over the lifetime of buildings are warranted. Updated energy codes will stimulate local job creation and construction expertise. Potentially, our University of Alaska Southeast Sitka campus could aid in training. The Inflation Reduction Act has a billion dollars through 2029 in state formula monies to assist local jurisdictions like Sitka to update its codes or pursue zero-energy codes in the absence of state action. If the Alaska legislature pursues a state energy code, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act will support local jurisdiction and training as well.
We need to motivate energy conservation and elimination of fossil fuel use locally such as replacement of baseboard electric heat and fuel oil boilers with heat pumps. The lower the heat load, the smaller and cheaper the heat pump. Building energy codes are a means of doing this. Our Sustainability Commission could support the adoption of energy efficiency codes so that our community can participate in the global effort to decrease our contribution to warming and severe weather. And we can save money using our renewable hydropower and other renewable sources.
-- Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
Natural History
Seminar on Tap
“An Update on Mt. Edgecumbe Goings-On, from the Alaska Volcano Observatory” will be the Natural History seminar feature 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the University of Alaska Southeast, room 229.
The seminar is free and open to the public.
The talk will provide an update on the low-level unrest that is occurring at Mt. Edgecumbe and will describe plans by the Alaska Volcano Observatory and partners to study and monitor it. Audience questions are being encouraged.
Those with questions can contact Kitty LaBounty at kllabounty@alaska.edu.
SYLC Campaign
Premier May 4
Members of the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee invite the public to the premier of the ‘‘Mold Your Masculinity’’ campaign videos 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Sitka Public Library.
SYLC members will tell what they’ve learned about harmful masculinity norms and engage the audience in conversation and creative writing activities to deepen understanding, create space for self reflection, and inspire change, organizers said. Teens and adults are welcome, but space is limited.
To register, visit sitkayouthleadership.com. Snacks will be provided. The event is a partnership between SYLC and Sitka Public Library.
Tongass RAC
Seeks Members
The Tongass National Forest is recruiting to fill 15 committee member positions on the North and South Tongass Resource Advisory Committees.
Members serve a four-year appointment and meet one to two times a year to review and recommend submitted projects that benefit national forest system lands, monitor ongoing projects, and provide advice to the Forest Service.
The North Tongass RAC is comprised of the former Lynn-Canal-Icy Strait, Juneau, Yakutat and Sitka. The South Tongass RAC is comprised of the former Wrangell-Petersburg, Ketchikan and Prince of Wales.
Members need to reside within the region of Alaska in which the committee has jurisdiction and, to the extent possible the committees provide local representation in each category. By law, members are divided into three groups and each member represents a particular set of interests.
Nominations and applications are due by June 10, and must be submitted electronically to Nicole Olsen, Alaska Regional Coordinator, Nicole.Olsen2@usda.gov.
Contact Hillary Woods for more information (hillary.woods@usda.gov – 907 228–6289) or visit the federal register for SRS RAC: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/27/2023-06207/secure-rural-schools-resource-advisory-committees
Tlingit Potatoes Planted
Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Pacific High School and Tongass National Forest joined forces last week for the sixth consecutive year to plant Tlingit (also called Maria’s) potatoes.
Several STA staff members and elders led the 10 school volunteers and 11 USDA Forest Service staff members in the planting process, then shared the potato’s history and some stories.
“It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the perfect opportunity to learn the biology, history, and cultural aspects of these interesting root vegetables,” said Eric Garner, Sitka District Ranger.
Tlingit potatoes have been present in Tlingit gardens for more than 200 years. The potatoes originate from Mexico or Chile, and were a trade item in Southeast Alaska in the early 1800s.
“When you handle these potatoes, you are touching a part of history,” said Tammy Young, a cultural resources coordinator with the STA.
The group plans to harvest the potatoes in October. Since 2017, the Sitka Ranger District has provided a sunny plot of land to serve as the shared potato garden and provided the seed potatoes to plant in the garden. Last year, more than 700 pounds of Tlingit potatoes were harvested between this garden and the STA plot to feed tribal families. The Tlingit potato continues to be a sustainable food resource, generations later.
For information on the Tlingit potatoes, contact Tammy Young at 907-738-7689 or tammy.young@sitkatribe-nsn.gov.
Sitka Emblem Club
Nominations Sought
Sitka Emblem Club 142 will be accepting nominations for first trustee and recording secretary.
Nominations and elections will be at the business meeting on Thursday, May 11, at the Sitka Elks Lodge. All members in good standing are qualified for nomination. For more information, contact Carol or Judi.
Harp Sing Set
All are invited to learn to sing four-part a capella harmony in the Sacred Harp (shape note) tradition 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the Pioneers Home chapel.
Beginners and listeners are welcome. Singing is from the red Denson and Christmas books. Loaner books are available. Masks are optional. For information call Sara at 747-2915.
