Some 30,000 resident of Anchorage, Alaska, rely on Anchorage Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) for clean, efficient and reliable power. In May, the utility broke ground on the George M. Sullivan Power Plant expansion, a 120MW combined-cycle, natural-gas-fired power generation unit that promises to be among the world's most energy-efficient, thermal generation station, primarily because it is co-located with Anchorage's water supply. Heating city water will provide further benefits to the community, including reduced system maintenance costs resulting from water pipe freeze-ups. It also will result in significantly fewer emissions relative to legacy plants, with a 97% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, an 80% reduction in carbon monoxide emissions and a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The $275-million project is among the very largest to break ground in the Northwest last year.

ML&P also currently is executing a multi-year project to relocate miles of overhead electrical distribution lines underground to reduce the risk of damage resulting from natural disasters, as well as improve the aesthetics of public spaces.

For its use of innovative methods and dedication to its community, ENR Northwest has named ML&P the region's Owner of the Year. We'll be profiling ML&P and its projects in the May 11 edition of ENR Northwest, as well as publish a ranking of the top projects to break ground in the region last year.