Behind the Switch
A Newsletter Edition
March 13, 2025
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2025 Meet the Candidates Q&A
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To learn more about the 2025 director candidates, each were asked to answer the three important questions below. Click the 'read more' button to find out how they answered.
Question 1
What knowledge, skills, and experience will you bring to CVEA's Board of Directors?
Question 2
What do you feel are the Co-op's biggest challenges in the next five years, and what will you contribute to overcoming these challenges?
Question 3
If elected as a CVEA director, how will you balance the desire to keep rates low with the need to complete expensive maintenance projects necessary to ensure system reliability?
*denotes incumbent
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VOTE for Your CVEA Board of Directors! | | |
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Director election ballots will hit Member mailboxes at the end of March. Please VOTE and let your voice be heard!
- WHY? The Cooperative needs a 10 percent return to constitute a valid election
- REMEMBER! To be valid, members must sign the back of the ballot envelope and the signature must match the signature on file at CVEA
- MAIL! Ballots must be received in the proper mailbox, not postmarked, by 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 22
- BONUS! All valid ballots returned by the deadline will be entered to win a $100 CVEA energy credit!!
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Annual Meeting Catering Services Needed | |
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Copper Valley Electric Association is seeking local food vendors to provide to-go style meals for our upcoming Annual Meeting events:
- Valdez: Tuesday, April 29
- Glennallen: Thursday, May 1
We need individually packaged meals that are:
- Easy to eat in a theatre-style seating environment with no tables
- Low-mess, but still delicious
- Creative and satisfying for our attendees
If you're interested in catering one or both events, please review the Request for Proposal by clicking the button below. Direct questions to Amanda Shipman.
Deadline: 6 p.m., March 31, 2025
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2025 Annual Meeting of Members | |
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Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc., invites you to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Members. The CVEA Annual Meeting is your chance, as a member-owner, to find out what is going on at your electric cooperative.
The purpose of the meeting will be to hear reports, learn about CVEA accomplishments, projects, and priorities, ask questions about your cooperative, accept director election results, see who is awarded Community Foundation scholarships, and transact any other business that may come before the Membership.
In addition to learning valuable information, attendees will enjoy a light meal and giveaways. Every member signed in by 6 p.m. will be eligible to win a ton of great door prizes, including a $1,000 cash grand prize, and will receive a $10 credit on their power bill!
We hope to see you at the CVEA Annual Meeting.
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Electricity in Schools Program | |
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CVEA recently hosted its annual Electricity in Schools program, engaging roughly 125 middle school students, teachers, chaperones, and families in interactive learning about electricity. The event featured an interactive in-class presentation, an exciting power plant tour, and a brand-new live safety demonstration. CEO Jaime Matthews, Plant Operator Matt Craig, and Marketing and Communications Specialist Amanda Shipman led classroom discussions on CVEA, cooperatives, types of power generation, the science behind electricity, and the importance of electrical safety.
After the in-class session, CVEA plant operators guided students on tours of the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Power Plant in Valdez and the Glennallen Diesel Plant in Glennallen. The tours show students first-hand what they learned about power generation and distribution the previous day in class. To conclude the experience, students witnessed a live safety demonstration, where the line crew emphasized the importance of electrical safety, explained how they protect themselves and the system, and showed what happens when objects and people make contact with power lines.
CVEA enjoys connecting with local students and extends a heartfelt thank you to the schools for giving us the opportunity.
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In February, CEO Matthews and Director Hess attended the Alaska Power Association State Legislative Conference in Juneau, Alaska. While there, they engaged with legislators, heard from our federal delegation, listened to panel discussions on statewide energy priorities, and had one-on-one meetings with Representative George Rauscher, Representative Becky Schwanke, Senator Mike Cronk, and Senator Mike Shower.
With just two weeks into the session, legislators have hit the ground running. Several members of the House Energy Committee took part in panel discussions that focused on key energy priorities for the state. Topics included in various presentations and conversations throughout the week frequently included gas supply, the Renewable Energy Fund, and financial constraints facing the state.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Representative Nick Begich addressed attendees via video, highlighting efforts to ease regulatory burdens, particularly on hydroelectric projects. They also discussed the new administration's focus on energy development and Alaska's potential role in shaping the future with its diverse energy resources.
Advocating for our members remains a strategic priority for Copper Valley Electric. During their meetings, Matthews and Hess addressed critical challenges facing the Co-op, to include the increasing costs of environmental and regulatory burdens, high cost of fuel, and the high cost of replacing aging infrastructure.
CEO Matthews also provided updates on current and potential future projects, including: the CVEA/Alyeska Intertie, Solomon Gulch Dam Raise, Tiekel Hydro Project, and the co-op's investment in system maintenance to increase reliability. Finally, the team voiced CVEA's support on a variety of statewide efforts.
To stay up-to-date on CVEA's legislative advocacy efforts, click the button below.
Above, Director Hess, Representative George Rauscher, and CEO Matthews
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CVEA's Glennallen and Valdez line crews recently completed hot insulator replacement training, learning to safely replace aging or damaged insulators without a bucket truck or de-energizing the system. The ability to perform hot insulator replacements without a bucket truck is a huge advantage, especially in remote locations where bucket truck access is prohibitive. Completing hot repairs allows the crew to avoid scheduling a power outage that may affect CVEA members.
Working with high-voltage electricity is hazardous. Regular training reinforces best practices, hazard awareness, and procedures to prevent accidents. Hot training emphasizes safety, using insulated tools, hot sticks, and specialized protective gear and equipment to minimize risks.
Pictured above, Ryan Luiten - Glennallen Journeyman Lineman; Justin Moncrief - Valdez Lineman Apprentice; Jess Bohn - Valdez NECA Temporary Lineman
Photo by Dirk Williams, CVEA Operations Manager
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Electricity Safety Trailer Demonstration | |
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In February, the CVEA line crews were the first in the state of Alaska to utilize the new Alaska Power Association (APA) Electricity Safety Trailer for presenting live electrical safety demonstrations.
This exciting addition to the annual Electricity in Schools program engaged approximately 125 students, teachers, chaperones, and parents.
The demonstration highlighted the dangers of electricity and the critical importance of electrical safety. The crew explained how they protect themselves and the system while working, showcased the use of Personal Protective Equipment, and demonstrated what happens when various objects come into contact with power lines. Most importantly, they provided valuable safety reminders to help the audience stay safe around electricity.
The APA Electrical Safety Trailer was developed and donated by APA and members (Copper Valley Electric Association, Homer Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association, WESCO, ABB, and Pacific Power Reps), to educate employees and the public on electrical safety. The education will be a lasting experience as people see the power of high voltage and learn about the dangers presented by electricity. The trailer is designed to demonstrate how 7,200 volts of electricity reacts to various circumstances.
CVEA appreciates this safety education resource from APA and the support of Don Maynor, APA Loss Control and Safety Specialist, and looks forward to future opportunities to use it when highlighting electrical safety in our communities.
Thanks to Dirk Williams, Tim Stradinger, Scott Shipman, Adam Hinnenkamp, Ryan Luiten, Justin Moncrief, and Jess Bohn, for the excellent demonstrations, and Coreen Palacios for securing the trailer for these events.
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Nathanael Severs
Nathanael began working part-time as a general assistant in June 2021, then transitioned to the role of Tree Trimmer-Groundsman a few months later. Recognizing his potential, he enrolled in the Lineman Apprentice training program and is now roughly halfway through.
Nathanael enjoys getting outdoors, hunting, fishing, snow machining, and spending time with friends and family.
According to Dirk Williams, CVEA Operations Manager, "Nathanel Severs sets the standard for a hard-working reliable apprentice. He has a great attitude and takes on the challenges of learning the trade. I look forward to the future as Nathanael completes his apprenticeship."
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Tomorrow, March 14, is National Pi Day! It is a great day to remind you that as a member of Copper Valley Electric, you own a slice of the cooperative pie. That means when you invest in the Co-op by paying your monthly electric bills, CVEA gives a portion of that investment back to you - as capital credits - when financial conditions allow. Capital credits are just one of many benefits of membership in your cooperative. Enjoy your slice of the cooperative pi(e). Happy Pi Day! | |
Energy Efficiency and Safety Tips | |
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Cleaning for Efficiency This Spring
Don't forget to include energy efficiency in your spring cleaning plans! Here's a few tips to remember as the winter begins to thaw.
- Replace dirty air filters to improve effieciency and air flow
- Dust computer equipment, electronics and light fixtures; dust creates inefficiency and absorbs up to 50 percent of light
- While cleaning light fixtures, make sure you're using energy-saving LED bulbs
- Wash windows and screens; it lets in extra light and warmth
For more efficiency tips, click the button below.
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Don't Be Lazy With Ladder Safety
If you're planning home improvement projects that involve climbing ladders, remember these safety tips:
- Always inspect the ladder before use
- Place the ladder on a flat, stable surface
- Always face the ladder when climbing
- Use a belt or bucket to carry tools and keep your hands free
- Follow load and height restrictions
- Use caution when using a ladder near power lines, carry it horizontally to avoid contact
See additional electrical safety tips by clicking the button below.
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As St. Patrick's Day is all about going "green", celebrate by saving energy!
- Turn off lights when you leave the room 🍀
- Switch to energy-saving LED bulbs 🍀
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Wash laundry using cold water 🍀
- Use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher 🍀
- Lower the thermostat a few degrees to save energy 🍀
- Unplug electronics that aren't in use 🍀
Happy St. Patrick's Day from CVEA!
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We Want Your Feedback And Ideas! | |
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Have Feedback on the e-Newsletter or Ideas For Articles?
CVEA's goal is to meet your communication needs. If you have feedback or topics you would like to see included in a future issue of Behind the Switch - A Newsletter Edition, send us an email by clicking the button below. We will review thoughts and ideas and do our best to make adjustments and include member suggestions throughout the year.
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Member Comments and Questions | |
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Copper Valley Electric wants to know what members have to say, and our team is on hand to answer questions you may have.
If you have comments or questions on any CVEA topic, email Customer Service by clicking the link below.
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Powering Homes, Empowering Lives
CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website.
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Copper Valley Electric Association | info@cvea.org | 907-822-3211 | www.cvea.org
Mile 187 Glenn Highway, PO Box 45, Glennallen, AK 99588
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Stay up to date on our Facebook page or visit us at cvea.org | |
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Copyright © 2023 Copper Valley Electric Association, All rights reserved.
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