April and May are busy months for Chugach and its members with the annual election and virtual annual meeting. The Board of Directors set April 1 as the date of record for this year’s election. You must be a member by that date in order to vote. 

On April 16, members with an email in our system will receive an email including a link to the election materials and instructions for voting, and paper ballots will be mailed to those who have requested them. Paper ballots and election materials are available upon request. To request  a paper ballot or update your email with Chugach, you can email service@chugachelectric.com or call 563-7366. Names of members who vote in the annual election go into a drawing for one free year of electricity (up to 10,000 kWh).

Three candidates are running for one open seat on the Chugach Board of Directors and there are four proposed bylaw amendments. 
 

As we gear up for the Chugach annual meeting and election, it’s important members have current information on file with Chugach in order to streamline the voting process. Please check to make sure we have a current member application with signature; your preferred mailing address; and a current email address. Chugach’s election utilizes electronic voting and upon request, paper ballots. 

One board seat open
Voting in the annual election will begin in mid-April, with members choosing one candidate for a 4-year term on the Chugach Board of Directors. The deadline to be considered a candidate by the Nominating Committee has passed, but candidates can still run by petition. A petition candidate needs signatures from 50 Chugach members to be considered. If you are interested in running by petition, contact Laurel Foster at laurel_foster@chugachelectric.com or call (907) 762-4509. The deadline for petition candidates is Friday, March 5. 

Annual Meeting in May
The Chugach annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually. More information on how to participate will be available in the coming weeks. 

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