Climate Change Data

City of Kotzebue

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2012)

Reporting Period: 2012

Environmental Metrics

Renewable Energy Share:3.38% (2006)
Total Energy Consumption:21 million kWh/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Environmental
  • Social
  • Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Refurbishment of the old water storage tank
  • Construction of a new water storage tank
  • Replacement of water main loops
  • Replacement of the raw water line from Vortac Lake
  • Replacement of several lift stations in the sewer
  • Replacement of sewer mains
  • Expansion of the Sewer Lagoon
  • Completion of the hillside road by the Native Village of Kotzebue
  • Paving of roads within the city including 5th Avenue
  • Erosion control and improvements to Shore Avenue
  • Dust control on gravel roads
  • State of Alaska improvements to airport facilities and improved safety
  • Construction of the new landfill
  • KEA expanded and improved its wind generation capacity

Social Achievements

  • Maniilaq completed a senior apartment complex, upgraded Emergency Medical Service (EMS) equipment, and constructed an elder care facility.
  • The Northwest Arctic Borough moved to new offices on Lagoon Street, and the School District completed major additions to the High School/Middle School.
  • NANA completed construction of a new 78-room hotel with a restaurant.
  • The National Park Service constructed the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center

Governance Achievements

  • Revision of the Subdivision Ordinance, Title 18
  • Establishment of an Economic Development Committee

Climate Goals & Targets

Medium-term Goals:
  • Increase job opportunities through expansion of existing businesses and attracting new businesses
  • Increase land available for housing and growth
  • Explore options to encourage more affordable and wheel chair accessible housing
  • Explore applicability of building techniques used by the Cold Climate Housing Research Center
  • Support efforts to identify and develop gravel resources
  • Develop a subdivision plan
  • Expand availability of local goods and services
  • Actively work with stakeholders to obtain funding for the Cape Blossom Regional Port
  • Encourage more professional and trade services to locate in Kotzebue
  • Encourage development of a shopping center or mall
  • Encourage new retail businesses to locate in Kotzebue
  • Support efforts to develop alternative and renewable energy sources
  • Develop an Alternative Energy/Energy Conservation Plan
  • Support efforts to improve high speed/higher bandwidth communications
  • Encourage workforce training to improve job skills and attract employers
  • Improve recreational opportunities in Kotzebue
  • Maintain a healthful environment
  • Increase public safety
  • Expand programs for youth
Short-term Goals:
  • Finalize ANCSA 14(c)(3) re-conveyance
  • Review and revise Title 17 (Zoning) of the City Code
  • Develop a plan for management of existing City lands and tidelands
  • Develop effective platting standards
  • Develop a watershed protection plan
  • Pursue annexation of lands
  • Develop a plan to encourage citizens to keep yards/lands clean
  • Develop an economic development plan
  • Establish a City Economic Development Committee
  • Support efforts to attract “green” businesses
  • Support tourism development initiatives
  • Improve the Swan Lake Small Boat Harbor
  • Implement recommendations in the Water and Sewer Master Plan
  • Develop a plan for Hillside water and sewer service
  • Develop and implement a Solid Waste Management Plan
  • Improve the refuse collection process
  • Develop or update the Transit Plan
  • Complete current improvements to the airport
  • Develop a plan for road improvements
  • Continue to support winter trail staking and ice road construction
  • Prepare a Recreation Plan
  • Complete upgrades to the Kotzebue Recreation Center
  • Develop a Communication Plan
  • Review and update City Codes
  • Support public safety efforts
  • Support programs that promote Iñupiaq culture
  • Work with and support the educational community
  • Reinvigorate relationship with Lavrentiya, Russia

Environmental Challenges

  • High cost of living
  • High unemployment rate
  • High poverty rate
  • Shortage of land and infrastructure for new housing
  • Need for reasonably priced gravel for construction
  • Lack of suitable gravel resources
  • High cost of oil
  • Lack of competition among businesses
  • High freight costs
  • Erosion
  • Severe weather
  • Floods
  • Ice hazards
  • Thawing permafrost
  • Potential for wild fires
  • Potential for oil spills
  • Limited employment opportunities
  • Scarcity of housing
  • Inadequate sources of cover materials for the landfill
  • Limited recycling opportunities
  • High costs of energy
  • Need for upgrades or replacement of city buildings and facilities
Mitigation Strategies
  • Development of an economic development plan
  • Strategies to promote local hire
  • Establishment of a City Economic Development Committee
  • Support for “green” businesses
  • Support for tourism development
  • Support for local training
  • Improvements to Swan Lake Small Boat Harbor
  • Efforts to reduce fuel costs
  • Development of a Solid Waste Management Plan
  • Improvements to the refuse collection process
  • Development of a plan for Hillside water and sewer service
  • Upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure
  • Airport improvements
  • Road improvements
  • Support for winter trail staking and ice road construction
  • Beautification efforts
  • Promotion of sustainability efforts
  • Support for affordable daycare and a local Head Start program
  • Support for public health initiatives
  • Improved emergency response measures
  • Support for programs that promote Iñupiaq culture
  • Efforts to expand educational opportunities
  • Support for recreational opportunities
  • Development of a Recreation Plan
  • Upgrades to the Kotzebue Recreation Center
  • Investigation of options for an indoor pool
  • Improvements to fairgrounds
  • Consideration of a multipurpose facility

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Severe storms
  • Floods
  • Erosion
  • Ice hazards
  • Thawing permafrost
  • Wild fires
  • Sea level rise
  • Warmer temperatures
  • Increasing intensity of storms
  • Melting of Arctic sea ice
  • Changes to fish, wildlife and plant communities
Opportunities
  • Development of alternative energy sources
  • Tourism development

Awards & Recognition

  • Water System of the Year award (2011)