Beginning in January 2021, Chugach’s electric rates are decreasing for all customer classes. This is the first rate change following Chugach’s acquisition of ML&P. 

Chugach has two rate districts: North and South. The North District is the ML&P legacy service area and the South District is the Chugach legacy service area. Chugach filed a request with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska that results in residential bill reductions (based on 600 kWh) to North District members by 9.6% and South District members by 2.7%, effective with the first billing cycle in January 2021. The RCA approved the rate changes on December 31, 2020. The rate impacts to commercial classes will be similar. 

The reductions are attributed to the combining of fuel and purchased power costs on the system, the application of a Beluga River Unit (natural gas) contributed capital adjustment, and a rebate provided by the Municipality of Anchorage to North District members.

The larger reduction to Chugach North District members is primarily attributed to the rebate provided by the MOA in the utility sale that returns equity contributions realized from ML&P legacy members. The rebate totals $36 million and is being provided as an offset to North District member rates through 2023.
 

Chugach is continuing its tradition of helping to feed residents of Anchorage during the holiday season by donating 450 turkeys to 10 local non-profits. The holiday turkey delivery will occur this week.

“Staying connected to the community and helping our neighbors is a priority at Chugach,” said CEO Lee Thibert. “Particularly in this year of the COVID-19 pandemic when we know the need is even greater, we are pleased to be able to continue this tradition.”

This is the 19th year Chugach has donated turkeys to local non-profits to help fill the need for holiday meals and food baskets throughout the local area. The turkeys are purchased from Carrs/Safeway and distributed to the charities.

The organizations receiving the turkeys include:

Anchorage Rescue Mission

AWAIC

Bean’s Café

Boys & Girls Club

Brother Francis Shelter

Covenant House

Food Bank of Alaska

Lutheran Social Services

St. Francis House

Salvation Army/McKinnell House

MOA latest to partner with Chugach Electric on charging station

Anchorage, AK - An electric vehicle (EV) charger is now available at the Rustic Goat restaurant in West Anchorage, installed by the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), which leases the parking area to the restaurant. The charger is the fourth and final charging facility funded in part by Chugach Electric Association as part of an EV charging research program. Chugach launched an incentive program last year to help the utility learn more about the use of publicly available EV chargers. The Chugach program reimburses up to $7,500 in upfront costs for each of the chargers in exchange for three years of charging data. To date, charging stations have been installed at Alyeska Resort, the South Anchorage Mall, and the Dimond Center. The charger in the parking lot near Rustic Goat, across Turnagain Street just east of the restaurant, is the latest in the research program.

“EVs save money and improve air quality,” said Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson. “We’re excited to support the EV transition through this grant and to offer residents more transportation choices.”

“It’s exciting to see this fourth partner in our research program as we work to expand charging options for EV drivers,” said Chugach CEO Lee Thibert. “We are looking forward to seeing the charging habits and ways to improve access to those who want to charge away from home.”

Ongoing Chugach research has shown a steady increase in the number of EVs registered in Alaska.  At the end of June there were nearly 1,200 registered EVs statewide, about a 25% increase from the same time in 2019; nearly half of the EVs were registered to addresses in the Railbelt.

Nationwide studies have found that most EV drivers do most of their charging at home, however, publicly available chargers can enable regional travel, reduce range anxiety for drivers, and attract business for their hosts. Chugach Electric calculates that at its residential rate, drivers save about 50 percent on their monthly cost for “fuel” compared to gasoline at $3.00 per gallon. EVs can last between 200 to 400 miles when fully charged.

Although the charging research program is now fully subscribed, Chugach offers several other EV incentive programs for its commercial and residential members.  Details can be found at https://www.chugachelectric.com/energy-solutions/electric-vehicles.

Chugach will have a prize drawing for EV drivers who use each of the four chargers installed under its research program in the next few weeks. Details of the Chugach EV Charging Road Rally will be available starting Nov. 16 on the Chugach website www.chugachelectric.com

Contact:

Chugach Electric

Julie Hasquet

(907) 717-9619                 

Municipality of Anchorage

Pierce Schwalb

(907) 229-2106

Chugach Electric today announced the closing of the acquisition of Municipal Light & Power (ML&P). The final step in the transaction comes two and a half years after 65% of Anchorage voters approved selling the municipal-owned utility.

“This is a historic day, and I am grateful for the hard work and efforts of so many,” said Chugach CEO Lee Thibert. “We could not have done this without the support of the employees, our board of directors, the administration and Anchorage Assembly, and the citizens of Anchorage. This has truly been a community effort.”

“The Chugach Board of Directors is proud to have been a part of this initiative – one that has been talked about for decades,” said Board Chair Bettina Chastain. “This will benefit Chugach members far into the future as we continue to provide reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses while achieving greater savings and efficiencies.”

In April 2018, Anchorage voters approved the sale of ML&P for roughly $1 billion. Following the vote, Chugach filed for approval of the transaction on April 1, 2019 with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). After several weeks of RCA hearings and additional time to analyze the transaction, the RCA gave approval on May 28, 2020, with conditions that were met on Aug. 20. The total transaction is valued at $986 million.

The combination of the two utilities is expected to lead to lower long-term rates for all utility ratepayers with an estimated savings of over $200 million over the next 15 years.

“As Alaska businesses, individuals, and the economy as a whole face financial difficulties because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to bring these utilities together,” Thibert said.

As part of the acquisition, Chugach kept its commitment to offer jobs to all ML&P employees who wanted to stay with the utility. The combined utility has approximately 92,000 members and 500 employees.

Two-day closure

In order to consolidate records to help facilitate a smooth transition for ML&P customers as they become Chugach members, Chugach offices will be closed Nov. 2 and 3. The first day of operations for the combined utility is Nov. 4.

Chugach members can continue to do business online and current ML&P customers will be able to sign up to become a Chugach members starting Nov. 4 at https://www.chugachelectric.com/powering-anchorage-together.

Former ML&P customers will also receive a welcome brochure and a member application in the mail from Chugach in the coming days. The application will be available on the Chugach website beginning Nov. 4.

During the two-day closure, Chugach will respond to power outages and other emergencies as usual but will not be available for member service requests.

Chugach’s locations and hours of operation as of Nov. 4:

Chugach South Campus

5601 Electron Drive

Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chugach North Campus

Drive-thru window only

1120 East 1st Avenue

Monday-Friday

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Member Services Phone

(907) 563-7366

Monday-Friday

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.