Disaster Resiliency and Recovery Example Project: Galena, Alaska

In May 2013, the Yukon River overflowed its banks with water and ballistic ice, severely damaging 90% of the homes and businesses in the remote Alaskan community of Galena. To help the community recover effectively and prepare for future floods, NREL received funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to identify energy-efficient rebuilding solutions, including measures to increase the efficiency and resiliency of the city's power plant.

Staff from NREL joined stakeholders from FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other organizations for an energy summit in Galena in October 2013 to identify energy-related challenges to be addressed during the recovery phase and potential energy efficiency opportunities.

In December 2013, NREL conducted on site assessments to analyze the potential for water and energy efficiency measures, as well as appropriate on site renewable energy generation technologies. NREL's assessments built on previous auditing work the community had done to provide a comprehensive strategy for implementing sustainability, efficiency, and renewables into recovery efforts. The goal was to create a resilient community to prepare for potential flooding and reduce the impact on the community.