Clear Air Force Station: Air Force Reviewed Costs and Benefits of Several Options before Deciding to Close the Power Plant

Abstract

Clear Air Force Station, located in the interior of Alaska where temperatures can drop as low as -60 deg This report addresses (1) the extent to which the Air Force evaluated options regarding the Clear Air Force Station combined heat and power plant and (2) what other options, if any, the Air Force considered before deciding on the alternative power source it selected. GAO reviewed the feasibility study; Department of Defense and Air Force guidance; and other analyses, contract information, and documentation related to the power plant. Fahrenheit, currently generates its own heat and power from a coal-fired combined heat and power plant. The station performs a critical radar mission for the Department of Defense, for which it is vital to have reliable sources of heat and power. Air Force Space Command has determined that the existing 50- year-old plant is operating inefficiently, and the Air Force plans to close the existing plant, after first connecting to the local power grid for electricity and constructing a new heat system for the administrative and residential areas of the installation. GAO was asked to review the Air Force s feasibility study and analyses of alternatives before the Air Force closes the plant. GAO also issued a restricted version of this report, which includes additional details on some estimated costs. In written comments on a draft of the restricted report, the Air Force concurred with GAO s observations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA601258

Entities

People

  • Brian Lepore
  • Heather Krause
  • James Ashley
  • Joanne Landesman
  • Jon Ludwigson
  • Karyn Angulo
  • Maria Storts
  • Michael Armes
  • Nadji Mehrzad
  • Ron Lake

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Civil Engineering
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Cost Estimates
  • Early Warning Systems
  • Economic Analysis
  • Electrical Grids
  • Energy Conservation
  • Energy Consumption
  • Energy Production
  • Maintenance
  • Management Personnel
  • Organizational Structure
  • United States
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster