Electricity

After more than two weeks without municipal power, a meeting held on Oct. 6 in the lower Kuskokwim River community highlighted a critical need to repair additional generators before winter sets in.

A contractor that helped to restore power in Mertarvik was en route to Akiak on Sept. 28 as many in the upriver community continue to rely on personal generators.

It is not immediately clear what caused the issue that has left the community without power since the evening of Sept. 21. The city is working with the Alaska Energy Authority, a state-owned corporation that provides support for rural energy needs, to come up with a plan.

The school has been closed for the remainder of the week, but parts to repair the community's main generator are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Temporary city administrator Aleck Jackson said the lights came back on in Akiak just before noon on Aug. 2. A contracted mechanic was able to repair two of Akiak’s generators at the end of July and beginning of August.