AETP Newsletter #5 (June 17, 2025)
New From AETP
Electric Cooperative Transparency Scorecard: Board Meetings, 2025 Update
Almost all Alaskans living on the Railbelt—over 70% of the state’s population—receive their power from one of four electric cooperatives: Chugach Electric Association (CEA), Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), Homer Electric Association (HEA), and Matanuska Electric Association (MEA). These cooperatives are governed by boards elected by members to represent their interests.
In 2023, AETP published a Transparency Scorecard considering how accessible these meetings and related materials are to cooperative members, and how transparently these boards conduct their business. We have now published an update looking at changes over the last 2 years. Most cooperatives saw their scores rise, although a number of transparency issues remain. AETP will be publishing a second Scorecard, on the availability of information on cooperative websites, this fall.
The update can be found here
*The last AETP newsletter included a table on the use of executive session by cooperative boards from 2022-2024. The table misreported the percentage of meetings spent in executive session by CEA and MEA’s boards in 2024. The correct percentage for CEA in 2024 is 45.6%, not 48%. The correct percentage for MEA in 2024 is 52.1%, not 54%. The figures in the Scorecard update are the correct ones.
Energy News:
Second Part of Gas Supply Studied Made Public
ENSTAR recently made public the second part of the Gas Supply Study it commissioned on behalf of a coalition of Railbelt utilities in 2022. The study looks at potential sources of natural gas to replace Cook Inlet production. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) required ENSTAR to release the initial part of the study (“Phase I), which it did in June 2023. There was no similar requirement for the Phase II report, which was finished in March 2024. (For more information on the Phase I study, see this AETP article).
The Phase II report does not appear on the ENSTAR website. It was included in filings ENSTAR made in support of its current rate case (TA354-4), as supplemental material to the testimony of Inna B. Johansen (Exhibit IJB-5). ENSTAR seeks to recover the full cost of the study, $4.55 million, from its customers through its rates. The Phase II study provides a detailed look at several potential natural gas supplies–in December, ENSTAR announced it was collaborating with Glenfarne to build an LNG import facility on the Kenai Peninsula.
CEA and Marathon Petroleum Agree on “Gas Swap”
On May 12, Chugach Electric Association (CEA) made an informational filing with the RCA about an “Exchange Agreement” it has made with Marathon Petroleum. The unusual arrangement calls for CEA to provide Marathon with natural gas from its Beluga River Unit (BRU) gas field from April 2025 to March 2028 (Marathon uses natural gas to operate its Kenai refinery). Starting in April 2028, Marathon will provide CEA with the same amount of gas over a three-year period, presumably from the LNG import facility Marathon is currently developing with Harvest Alaska (a Hilcorp subsidiary). CEA and Marathon claim the agreement is not a contract and therefore not subject to RCA approval.
On June 10, the Regulatory Affairs and Public Advocacy section of the Attorney General’s office (RAPA, which represents the public interest in RCA proceedings), filed a response to the proposed agreement. RAPA believes that, as structured, the deal could expose CEA to certain risks, and that RCA approval should be required to protect the interests of CEA’s members.
RCA Requires CEA to Add Additional Language to Curtailment Tariff Provision
On June 9, the RCA approved CEA’s request to amend its conditions of service (TA572-8) to address potential curtailments of power if it is unable to meet demand for reasons that could include fuel shortages (so-called rolling blackouts). While approving the changes, the RCA also said that CEA had failed to address some key issues, particularly concerning its communication plan for a curtailment event. Similar concerns had been raised in comments on CEA’s proposal submitted by RAPA and the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG). The RCA is requiring CEA to submit additional tariff language providing a clear definition of its curtailment strategy and communication plans by July 10. These requirements are similar to the ones the RCA required Homer Electric Association (HEA) to add to its tariff in January (as discussed in Newsletter #3 and #4)--also see the following item.
RCA Continues to Consider Curtailment Issues
In May, the RCA reopened the comment period for its informational docket on utility curtailment policies (I-25-001). The previous comment period was not properly noticed and received minimal response (see Newsletter #4). The new comment period ended on June 13, with four additional comments submitted. The RCA has hesitated to open a rulemaking docket on utility curtailment plans, but, as discussed in the previous item, has required HEA and CEA to add language about curtailments to their tariffs.
RCA Reelects Espindola as Chair Although Term is Expired
At its June 11 meeting, the RCA commissioners reelected Commissioner John Espindola to continue serving as the Commission’s Chair for FY 2026, which starts on July 1. This is despite the fact that Espindola’s term expired on March 1, 2025, and that there has been no announcement of his reappointment by the Governor. Although commissioners can continue to serve past the end of their term until a replacement is named, it is unclear why the status of Espindola’s seat remains unresolved–while he has not been reappointed, the position also does not appear as vacant on the governor’s Boards and Commission’s website. AETP has inquired about the status of the seat with the governor’s office, but not received any reply. In 2024, the Legislature increased the qualifications for RCA commissioners as part of HB 307–if reappointed, Espindola will be evaluated on these new criteria next legislative session.
CEO’s of Railbelt Cooperatives Urge Legislature to Restart Licensing Process for the Susitna-Watana Dam
The request came in a May 2 letter to the House Finance Committee–for more, see this story from the Northern Journal.
Loss of Federal Clean Energy Tax Credits Could Have A Major Impact on Alaska
see this story from the Alaska Energy Blog.
Legislative News:
None of the power-related bills before the Alaska Legislature this spring made it to the floor for a final vote. AETP will be publishing an overview of what bills were introduced and where they stood at the end of this year’s session later this summer. The next newsletter will also contain a brief synopsis for relevant bills.
Cooperative Elections:
AETP will be publishing short pieces on each of this year’s Railbelt elections in the coming weeks on its Election page.
Chugach Electric Association:
CEA members elected Katherine Jernstrom to a four-year term on its board, with about 60% of ballots cast. CEA members also approved a bylaws change that will extend the window during which its annual meeting can be held each spring from four to eight weeks.
Golden Valley Electric Association:
In a close election, GVEA members in District 6 elected John Sloan to a three-year term on the cooperative’s board. Sloan, who had previously held this seat, chose not to run for reelection in 2022. He edged out incumbent Fred Sheen by an eight vote margin. In District 5, the election was cancelled and the sole candidate, Bradley Swope, was appointed to the seat in March.
Other Cooperative News:
Chugach Electric Association (CEA)
Next board meeting—June 25 at 4 p.m.
Board website: https://www.chugachelectric.com/your-cooperative/board-of-directors
Recent RCA filings:
See items under Energy News
Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA)
Next board meeting--June 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Board website: https://www.gvea.com/about-us/board-of-directors/
A summary of the May GVEA board meeting is forthcoming on the AETP Community page.
Recent RCA filings:
On May 30, GVEA filed a -2% Cost of Power Adjustment (TA391-13) for the quarter beginning June 1. The change will reduce the average monthly bill by $1.59
Homer Electric Association (HEA):
Next Board meeting: July 8 at 12 p.m.
Board website: https://www.homerelectric.com/my-cooperative/board-of-directors/
Recent RCA filings:
On May 30, the RCA suspended HEA’s proposed extension of its special contract with Tesoro Alaska (TA477-32) for investigation (Docket U-25-015). HEA has been selling power to Tesoro under special terms since 1980–this is a common arrangement between utilities and large industrial customers. Before it approves the contract extension, the RCA is requiring the two parties to provide information demonstrating that the deal benefits HEA’s other members. It is also requiring evidence that Tesoro could generate its own power if it did not purchase it from HEA, which is one of the conditions for the special rate. A decision is due by December.
On May 30, HEA submitted an informational filing with the RCA indicating that it was not requesting any changes to its rates through the Simplified Rate Filing process for the second quarter of 2025.
Matanuska Electric Association (MEA)
Next board meeting: July 14 at 4 p.m.
Board website: https://www.mea.coop/co-op-benefits/board-of-directors
Recent RCA filings:
On May 15, MEA submitted a Simplified Rate Filing (TA572-18) asking for a 3% increase to its base rates for the quarter beginning on July 1. The overall impact will be to increase bills by 1.7%, about $2.75 a month for the average residential customer.
Interested in contributing to AETP?
There are a variety of ways you can help in our coverage of Alaska’s energy sector. You can provide a summary of a utility board meeting or write an opinion piece on an issue that is important to you. AETP’s editor will work with anyone interested in writing a new story as a citizen journalist. If you are interested in contributing to AETP or just finding out more, contact Brian Kassof at brian@akpirg.org. More information about contributing to AETP, including templates for board meetings, see our Toolkit page.