Behind the Switch

A Newsletter Edition

December 11, 2025

Cover Photo by Lori Geib - 2024 Newsletter Photo Contest Winner

CVEA Christmas Gift to Members

Merry Christmas from CVEA

As a gift to our members, 2026 Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness calendars are available for pick up at the Valdez and Glennallen offices.

Pick up your calendars between 7am - 6pm, Monday - Thursday at your local CVEA office

One calendar per member, please

Thank you for being members of Copper Valley Electric! Merry Christmas!

Check Out the 2026 Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness Calendars

CVEA Bylaws Amendments:

Open for Member Comment

2026 CVEA Bylaws Amendment Process & Deadline

Members may propose Bylaws amendments for placement on the 2026 ballot by filing a petition with the Board of Directors.

All petitions must:

Be signed by 10% of the membership; certified on 11/25/2025, 10% of the membership is 280 members

Petitions can be emailed to Sara Horvath at shorvath@cvea.org

Deadline to submit petitions:

Thursday, January 8, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.

CVEA Bylaws

Solomon Gulch Hydro Annual Maintenance

Preventative Maintenance for Higher Reliability

Every spring, all CVEA operators work through a comprehensive checklist of the entire hydro unit, top to bottom to ensure everything is in proper working order for the next season.

This checklist includes:

Draining the penstocks
Blocking and tagging the entire unit out of service, from the dam to the powerhouse
Thorough cleaning and inspection of the generator and turbine
Pressure washing and inspecting the tailrace

This work helps operators identify any issues that might prevent operations of the hydro turbines and gives them time to develop a plan for repairs if needed.

The Solomon Gulch hydro turbines are the most efficient and affordable units for our members to have generating electricity on our system.

CVEA strives to provide 100% hydro every summer to supply the most affordable power possible when we have water available. If this preventative maintenance was not completed, and a unit failed during the summer, the Cooperative would have to supplement our power supply with diesel rather than hydro.

Photo Credit: Steve Williams, CVEA Power Generation Manager

Pictured: Plant Operator, Lee Burke, & Plant Operator Trainee, Gavin Blood, cleaning the tailrace

Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Project

2025 Capital Credit Retirement

$805,237 Approved for Capital Credit Retirement

On November 20, 2025, the CVEA Board of Directors approved a capital credit retirement in the amount of $805,237, representing approximately 3.33% of total member equity.

Capital credits are the financial margins the Cooperative achieves through business operations. Margins are the difference between the Cooperative's income and expenses. At the end of each year, margins are allocated to members' capital credit accounts.

Periodically, the Board of Directors may elect to retire portions of these capital credits.

Most CVEA members with capital credit allocations through December 2024 will receive their portion of the capital credit retirement as a credit on their December 2025 bill. Inactive CVEA members will receive a check if they are owed $50 or more in capital credits.

Questions about capital credits?

Call Customer Service at 907-822-3211
Email Customer Service at customerservice@cvea.org

Learn More About Capital Credits

Run for a Seat on the CVEA Board of Directors

Two Board of Director Seats up for Election

Join a dedicated group of community members who volunteer as a CVEA Board of Director for the benefit of all CVEA members!

The following seats are up for election in each district. Each seat will hold a three-year term.

Copper Basin - 1 seat
Valdez - 1 seat

To qualify as a Board of Director, you must:

Be a member of CVEA for a minimum of 12 continuous months
Be in good standing with CVEA
Not be employed by CVEA or have been employed in the past 3 years
Not be a close relative of an incumbent director or employee

Nomination packets will be available on December 18, 2025.

Deadline to submit nomination packets:

Thursday, February 12, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.

Questions? Email Customer Service

CVEA Employee Spotlight

Wayne McKinzey

Wayne joined the CVEA team in May 2014 as Plant Superintendent and is finishing his time with us as Chief Operating Officer. Over the years, Wayne has made a lasting impact through his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to improving efficiency and ensuring the reliability of our service and infrastructure.

His strategic insight and steady guidance have strengthened our organization and our team. Wayne has been an invaluable part of CVEA, and we wish him a well-deserved, enjoyable, and fulfilling retirement!

From Wayne:

"Many years ago, I was given some amazingly good advice that I would like to pass on.

Find something fun to do outside in the winter or you're not going to like living here half the year. Support your children in their pursuits, even if it means flying to Nome in January. If you don't put your health and fitness first, it will be last."

From Wayne's Supervisor, CEO Jaime Matthews:

"Wayne has served as the foundation of CVEA's technical team for 11 years, showcasing exceptional knowledge in operations, power generation, and regulatory issues. I am grateful for all he has contributed to CVEA. We wish him the best as he prepares to retire in January."