Behind the Switch
A Newsletter Edition
September 11, 2025
| |
Celebrate Community at the CVEA Co-op Month
Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch
| | |
CVEA’s Co-op Month Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch events are just around the corner! Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly Saturday that demonstrates what COMMUNITY is all about.
Pick your favorite pumpkin from the patch and enjoy pumpkin decorating, games and activities, a fall-themed photo booth, warm food, and tasty treats all while supporting 14 local nonprofit organizations who serve our friends and neighbors.
The events take place Saturday, October 11, in Glennallen, and Saturday, October 18, in Valdez. Fun for the whole family goes from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the CVEA office parking lot in each district (while supplies last).
Admission to the pumpkin patch:
Bring nonperishable food item(s) or a monetary donation to support the local food bank
With your donation, you get:
- To pick your own pumpkin from the patch (pumpkin qty. limits per family)
- FREE pumpkin decorating
- A ticket for entry into the drawing for a $150 CVEA energy credit
BONUS - make extra food or monetary donations and receive extra drawing tickets
Please do not bring expired food
Credit cards will be accepted
Food Bank Donation Drive:
- All food and monetary donations will benefit the food bank in your district
- Alyeska Pipeline Service Company will match monetary donations up to $3,000 (total - districts combined)
| | 2025 Member Tour Highlights | | |
On Tuesday, August 19, CVEA welcomed 19 members and two new employees for the 2025 Member Tour. Participants from Valdez and the Copper Basin spent the day with CVEA’s CEO, several members of the leadership team, and knowledgeable plant operators and linemen.
The tour included visits to the Valdez Diesel Plant, the Cogeneration Plant at Petro Star, and the Solomon Gulch and Allison Creek Hydroelectric Projects. Members also received an overview of operations, a substation summary, and an equipment and bucket truck demonstration from a member of the line crew. Participants experienced a diesel engine cold start and had the opportunity to watch a video showcasing the construction of the Solomon Gulch Substation and then explore the new facility, brought online in December 2023.
A visit up the mountain to Solomon Lake and through the tunnel to the Allison Creek diversion structure was a highlight of the tour. The day also featured a quick lunch, and viewing of the award-winning "People Behind the Switch—An Office Story" video.
Early responses to the post-event survey indicate attendees felt the tour was very enjoyable and informative. We anticipate continuing the Member Tour in 2026. If you are interested in participating in the future, watch for announcements and other opportunities to engage with the CVEA team.
| | Paperless Pays Off For Members and the Co-op | |
Go Paperless with SmartHub and Enjoy the Benefits!
Benefits for the Members:
⏱️ Save Time & Stay Organized
- Bills delivered instantly
- Easy online access anytime
- No lost or misplaced mail
- Track billing history in one place
💵 Cost-Effective
- Track electric usage to see where you can save
- Avoid postage costs
- Faster payments = few or no late fees
🔒 Secure & Reliable
- Protection through SmartHub’s secure platform
- Notifications and reminders keep you on track
🌎 Better for the Environment
- Reduce paper use & waste
- Lower carbon footprint
Benefits for the Co-op:
💵 Cost-Effective
- Current cost savings from members switching from traditional paper bills to Paperless Billing equal $8,500 annually
- If half of CVEA members sign up for Paperless Billing, savings will equal $12,000 each year
- Cost savings for the Cooperative contribute to CVEA's ability to keep rates low for members
Benefits to Your Bottom Line:
💵 Sign Up for Paperless Billing by November 3, 2025
- Receive a $5 instant bill credit and be entered to win a $100 CVEA energy credit
- Already using Paperless Billing? As a thank you, existing members will be automatically entered to win a $100 CVEA energy credit
Signing up is easy. Scan the QR Code in the image above or click the button below. Need Assistance? Find instructions on our Paperless Billing website page, email Customer Service, or give them a call at 907-822-3211 (Copper Basin)/907-835-4301 (Valdez).
| | |
Justin Moncrief
Justin joined CVEA in 2021 and has since completed the rigorous four-year, 8,000-hour IBEW lineman apprenticeship, earning his Journeyman Lineman status. He has proven to be an invaluable member of our line crew, responding to system-wide outages, installing new services, and contributing to improvements across the CVEA system. We are proud of Justin!
At 19, Justin said he traded the desert heat of Las Vegas for the mountains and coastlines of Valdez, Alaska. He is now a Journeyman Lineman who enjoys working year-round to keep the lights on no matter what the weather brings.
Outside of work, Justin spends most of his time outdoors—hiking, riding trails in his side-by-side, skydiving, or traveling to see what’s over the next horizon. He enjoy the challenges Alaska throws at him and likes living where adventure is always just out the front door. For him, Alaska is where hard work meets the kind of adventure you can’t find anywhere else.
According to Tim Stradinger, CVEA Valdez Line Foreman, "Justin has a natural drive that pushes him toward success. Once he decides on a goal, he stays focused and persistent, navigating obstacles with determination until the work is done."
| | Summer Construction Season Deadline | | |
The deadline for the 2025 construction season is September 15th. By this date, all required items must be completed and approved, including:
- All paperwork submitted
- Payment and fees received
- Easement completed and returned
- Meter base (including ground rods) installed, inspected and approved
Due to high demand at the end of the season, new services will be installed by the line crew on a first-ready, first-served basis through the deadline.
If your service is not ready on time or cannot be installed by the line crew in fall 2025, it will be placed in the queue for spring 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Lori at 907-822-8347 or email by clicking the button below.
| | |
With severe weather events occurring more frequently, now more than ever, it makes sense to be prepared. During a prolonged power outage or other emergency, this means having enough food, water, and supplies to last.
In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, we want to remind community members about the power of preparation.
There are several practical steps you can take to keep you and your family safe. We recommend starting with the basics, like making a safety kit. Include the items below in your kit to keep your family comfortable during a power outage or other extended emergency situation.
- Flashlights
- A battery-powered radio
- Extra batteries for flashlight, radio, and battery bank for cell phone and/or iPad
- A three-day supply of bottled water (one gallon per person, per day)
- Canned and dried foods
- Manual can opener
- Blankets
- First aid supplies
Replace all items in the kit once a year and make sure everyone in your family knows where the kit is stored. Even at a modest level, preparation like this can help reduce stress, anxiety, and lessen the impact of an emergency event.
Click the read more button below to learn more basics and tips for preparing your vulnerable and four-legged family members.
| | | Energy Efficiency and Electric Safety Tips | | |
Energy Efficiency: Check Your Home Heating Systems
Winter is just around the corner, making Fall the perfect time for easy maintenance on your heating system before the winter weather blows in!
Here are some easy maintenance tasks that will help ensure your family is comfortable before the thermostat drops:
-
Check for leaks and call a technician if needed; one drop per second wastes 60 gallons of water per week
- Be aware of cracks and uninsulated spaces in your home; caulk and weather strip these as you come across them
These maintenance tasks can help your family avoid unnecessary increases in your electric bill and prevent unexpected breakdowns during the coldest times of the year.
| |  | |
Electric Safety Tips for Baby Safety Month
In honor of Baby Safety Month, September is a great time to ensure your home is the safest environment possible for your little ones.
Here are some easy ways to prioritize electrical safety for our tiniest cooperative members:
- Teach your children to not touch appliances with wet hands
- Unplug electrical devices when they are not in use
- Secure heavy electronics, such as televisions to prevent a child from pulling them down or knocking them over
- Point out overhead power lines and electrical equipment; emphasize to your children that they should never climb on or play near them
For more safe electricity tips for kids, teens, and youth of all ages, check out the link below.
| | | We Want Your Feedback And Ideas! | | |
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.
| | Member Comments and Questions | | |
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.
| |
Powering Homes, Empowering Lives
CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website.
| | |
Copper Valley Electric Association | info@cvea.org | 907-822-3211 | www.cvea.org
Mile 187 Glenn Highway, PO Box 45, Glennallen, AK 99588
| | Stay up to date on our Facebook page or visit us at cvea.org | | |
Copyright © 2023 Copper Valley Electric Association, All rights reserved. | | | | |
