Amid the fervor of municipal elections, state and federal primaries, and the long anticipated November midterm elections, Alaska’s Railbelt electric customers have another opportunity to engage with democracy in action. The Railbelt’s four biggest electric utilities are all member-owned cooperatives. 

The Chugach Electric Association (CEA), Homer Electric Association (HEA), Matanuska Electric Association (MEA), and Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) are all governed by boards of directors elected by and from their membership. Each cooperative is a little different but generally the directors serve staggered terms so that 1-3 seats are up for election every year. The details of this year’s elections are:

• The CEA electionis currently open, running from April 29 to May 29. Four candidates are running for two seats. The Alaska Center is proud to have endorsed Rachel Morse and Penny Gage for the two open seats.
• The GVEA election runs May 13 to June 9. District seats 1, 2, and 3 are up for election.
• The HEA election ran from April 3 to May 7. Renewable-friendly candidate Peter Crimp won one of three seats but incumbent candidates won the others.
• The MEA election ran from April 3 to April 27. Renewable-friendly and Alaska Center endorsed candidate Connie Fredenberg won one of two seats, but the other was won by an incumbent.

Unlike many Lower 48 communities where electric utilities are for-profit companies beholden to their shareholders, Railbelt electric ratepayers have the incredible power to choose the leadership and direction of their electric utility, if they choose to use that power. These cooperative elections usually have low turnout — the CEA election has hovered around 11% in recent years. We know that higher participation leads to better democratic decisions so The Alaska Center is excited to be continuing our work to drive participation in the Chugach Electric election. 

Our Railbelt electric cooperatives have substantial influence over the source, and ultimately cost, of our electricity. The electric cooperatives, at the direction of their Directors, make decisions to invest in energy projects, construct infrastructure, and lobby the legislature. The decisions that Chugach makes in the next few years will have impacts 10, 25, even 50 years in the future. This gives the electric cooperative substantial power to shape our communities and our economy. It is critical that members know they have the power to elect directors who will have their best interests in mind when making decisions in the board room. 

The Alaska Center board unanimously endorsed Rachel Morse and Penny Gage for the CEA board of directors. Morse and Gage have the experience that is needed to make the crucial decisions Chugach will be facing in the coming years. Morse is an incumbent, running for her third and final term. She has served as the Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, and also serves in leadership positions in regional electric cooperative organizations, and has been recognized for her dedication to public service. Gage is running for her first term and she brings extensive knowledge and experience working to drive investment in emerging energy technologies in Alaska. Together Morse and Gage will continue strong and principled leadership of CEA and help ensure the sustainability, affordability, and reliability of our electricity. 

We look forward to working together with our community to use our voices and votes to elect Morse and Gage, and working with the Chugach Electric Board to create a just and sustainable energy future for Alaska.