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Contact: Jonathan Nicholson, 907-442-8307
KOTZEBUE, ALASKA--The National Park Service (NPS) transitioned to wind energy at their largest facility in the Arctic, the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center. The NPS has long relied on heating oil to keep the 20,000 square foot building warm, consuming over 5,100 gallons annually. The NPS invested $175,000 to install new, energy-efficient electric boilers in the building, which are powered by the Kotzebue wind farm. Heating oil will be used only as a supplemental source of heat.
The NPS partnered with Kotzebue Electric Association on the new wind powered system. The system likely reduces fossil fuel emissions and heating oil consumption, saving the NPS energy costs by 40% or more. The NPS will reinvest money saved in community programs and facility improvements.
Western Arctic National Parklands Superintendent Ray McPadden said, "Climate change is causing dramatic impacts for communities and ecosystems in Northwest Alaska. It's important that the National Park Service contributes to positive change. This investment will significantly reduce emissions from our flagship facility in the Arctic. We appreciate the support from Kotzebue Electric Association and our regional NPS team in launching the new system."
For more information about the parks of Western Arctic National Parklands, please visit Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Noatak National Preserve. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and FLICKR. For more information about climate change and your national parks visit Climate Change (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
Last updated: February 23, 2023