Low water levels on the upper Kuskokwim have made it impossible to barge fuel into McGrath this year. The region’s fuel delivery company — Crowley — has been flying in shipments instead. That’s sent the price of heating oil to $6.78 a gallon and unleaded gasoline to $7.15. Higher river levels in recent days have allowed Crowley to dispatch a barge. But there’s no guarantee it will make it, because the two lowest spots on the river have no gauges. Meanwhile McGrath is considering a biomass project to reduce costs.
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
