Legislative Advocacy
CVEA representatives work closely with state and federal lawmakers to maintain good working relationships. We consistently review items of value or concern to our Cooperative, our members, and the entire electric utility industry. We act and speak on your behalf to help make necessary changes or ensure forthcoming changes have the best possible outcome.
Efforts include communications as necessary throughout the year, local meetings when representatives are in the CVEA service territory, attending state and federal Legislative fly-ins and other meetings, and in-person meetings with representatives and agency's in Juneau and Washington, D.C.
2024 Legislative Efforts
To learn about CVEA, the priorities of the cooperative, issues facing the cooperative, and policy that CVEA supports, click the legislative brochure image below.
CEO, Matthews, Attended the Alaska Power Association Federal Legislative Conference in June
See complete conference summary and trip report provided by APA Deputy Director, Michael Rovito.
Matthews Advocates on Behalf of Members in Washington, D.C.
CEO, Jaime Matthews, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with Alaska Power Association Executive Director, Crystal Enkvist, and lobbyist, Larry Markley. They met with the Alaska Congressional Delegation and Jerry Moses, State and Federal Relations Director for the Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Matthews highlighted issues affecting CVEA, including the high cost of winter energy and increasing costs of environmental and regulatory burdens, and provided updates on important projects, including the CVEA/Alyeska Intertie and the close of the micro-modular nuclear reactor project review for CVEA's service territory. She also voiced the the cooperative's support on a variety of statewide efforts. The group rounded out productive meetings on Capitol Hill with Hannah Hardin, Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
CEO, Jaime Matthews, Visits Juneau
Advocating for members is a strategic priority for Copper Valley Electric. As part of the Cooperative's 2024 legislative advocacy efforts, CVEA CEO, Jaime Matthews, recently visited Juneau to meet with Representative George Rauscher, Representative Mike Cronk, Senator Click Bishop, and Senator Mike Shower.
During her visits, she discussed the biggest issues facing the co-op to include high winter power rates, increasing costs of environmental and regulatory burdens, and the high cost of replacing aging infrastructure. She also provided updates on current and potential future projects. Keeping representatives up-to-date on the issues and priorities of the Cooperative is critical to ensuring their understanding and support.
Pictured above: CEO Matthews with Representative Mike Cronk and Senator Click Bishop
2024 APA Legislative Fly-In Summary - Juneau, AK
Sharon Scheidt, CVEA Director of Communications, joined electric industry professionals from all corners of the state, in Juneau, for the annual Alaska Power Association (APA) Legislative Fly-In January 31 through February 1. Throughout the event, the co-op participated in legislative briefings, presentations, panel discussions, and one-on-one meetings with legislators and staff members. The goal of the visit was to learn about the current legislative session and discuss CVEA issues and priorities.