Harold Hollis: Don’t be fooled by the incumbents on the ballot in Chugach Electric Association’s election

It is election time of year for all Chugach Electric Association members to elect directors to represent you on the Chugach Electric Association Board. You should have received an email confirming your email address and information on voting. Voting is easy and only takes a few minutes online.

Two board seats are open this election. Voting in the annual election began on April 17 and ends May 17. Two candidates will be elected to four-year terms on the Chugach Board of Directors. The four candidates, two of which are incumbents, are running this year.

The two incumbents, Sam Cason and Mark Wiggin, who are endorsed by the dark money supported Alaska Center (for the Environment) and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP), are running an extensive media campaign promising support for lower rates, energy security and renewable energy. Who doesn’t want these things?

But campaign promises and smooth talk is cheap. Let’s look at the recent voting record of these two and see if their actions match their rhetoric.

– The two incumbents have voted solidly in line with the Alaska Center and REAP directors whose sole priority is intermittent and unsustainable wind and solar power. Their votes allow the renewable coalition to control the Chugach board.

– They voted to increase your electric rates on average 5.8% with further increases to come.

– They voted to increase their own Board compensation over 150%.

– They voted to approve a resolution supporting a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with unreasonable goals that will increase Chugach’s costs and incur financial penalties that will ultimately increase your electric rates even more.

– They have voiced support for NVE’s proposal for removal the Eklutna dam which would eliminate Chugach’s lowest cost power generation. So much for support of reliable renewable energy.

– And, moreover, they have taken no significant action to ensure Chugach has a long-term gas supply to keep your lights on! Their focus has been on importing LNG at a cost of two to four times what Chugach currently pays for natural gas.

Don’t be fooled. Every one of these actions taken by these two directors will increase your electric rates and jeopardize our energy security. Does this sound like directors that have your best interests in mind? If not, I encourage you to vote for Dan Rogers and Todd Lindley. Dan and Todd strongly support all sources of energy and power, including renewables where they make sense.

They are solid professionals with engineering and management experience who will bring sound business decisions and unbiased rational problem solving to the Chugach Board.

You can read their bios at this link and this one.

This is a very important election. Chugach needs a board that makes rational decisions for the long term benefit of its members, you and me.

Dan Rogers and Todd Lindley will bring unbiased fresh new ideas and will explore all reasonable and practical solutions to Chugach’s energy challenges now.

Harold L. Hollis, PE is a past Chugach Electric Association board director, and is a business owner and professional engineer.