Your May Energy Updates from FCAC
As the springtime temperatures heat up, the Alaska energy world is also heating up - this month’s newsletter has an update on high electricity rates at Golden Valley Electric Association (and what you can do about it), what the Legislature is doing about the AKLNG pipeline, and a peek at the Governor’s Suspicious Sustainable Conference. 😎
GVEA elections are coming up!
Member-owners will receive their ballots in the mail beginning May 13th. Elections run through June 9th with results being released on June 11th. If you don't know what district you’re in, or need more info on voting, click here to visit GVEA's 2026 voting guide!Here are the two pro-renewable candidates we are excited about!
District 1: Dave Messier
"The high cost of energy and its impact on Fairbanks businesses and families is what caused me to run for the board 9 years ago. Keeping our utility focused on lowering long term costs is still a top priority I bring to every meeting. That said, as members in a cooperative it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our electrical system is managed and maintained to keep our power reliable and the lights on. Providing reliable electricity requires investment, not just through the rates we all pay but through the willingness of board members to commit their time, energy and experience to help our co-op succeed. I’m running because I have a proven track record of that commitment and I would be honored to have your vote so that I can continue to serve and continue to keep our utility focused on reliably delivering electricity to our members."
District 2: Phil Wight
"We are facing an energy crisis. With residential utility charges jumping 8.37%, the loss of lower-cost gas power and the threat of rolling blackouts, “business as usual” is not working. Costs are rising with intensifying ice storms and forest fires.
GVEA must evolve to meet these serious challenges. Our Cooperative needs renewed Board leadership, persistent innovation, and bold action to secure our grid and save members’ money.
As Chair of GVEA’s Member Advisory Committee, I led a task force which demonstrated how GVEA can improve reliability and reduce bills by investing in member-owners’ homes. As an energy historian, I’ve written a comprehensive history of our grid, “Electrifying the Railbelt,” and testified on Alaska energy issues before the U.S. House. As a policy analyst, I authored successful bipartisan legislation (SB152) to save ratepayer’s money with Community Solar. As a father, I will ensure Fairbanks remains a land of opportunity for our children."
GVEA Community Q&A on April 1
In addition to 145 consecutive days below freezing this winter, Fairbanksians are facing an alarming energy future, with alarmingly steep electricity costs that show no sign of coming back down. In response to growing community concern, GVEA held a community Q&A on April 1. There is a summary of the meeting on GVEA's Facebook page and we also appreciated reading Gwen Holdmann’s perspective in the Alaska Beacon.
For more information on GVEA elections and opportunities for action: https://www.fbxclimateaction.org/gveaelections
Last month the Governor proposed a new municipal property tax legislation (an Alternative Volumetric Tax), asking everyday Alaskans to subsidize the AK LNG project. Through a barrage of hearings in the House and Senate Resource Committees these past weeks, the two versions of the bill, HB 381, and SB 280, have been revised from what one Borough mayor called “a bottom offer,” but remain deeply fl
The Senate Resources bill combines some of the transparency guardrails from SB 275, and sets slightly higher rates than the Governor’s original proposed legislation, but there’s no true way to develop a tax structure that will benefit Alaskans when project contracts and accurate cost estimates remain secret. If the AKLNG project is not paying an equitable property tax rate, everyday Alaskans will be forced to subsidize the extra costs associated with road maintenance and essential services like EMS, and it puts pressure on already strained housing markets and school districts. Are we willing to take on that burden for a risky project that will increase our energy costs, give away our natural resources, and contribute significantly to climate change? Asking Alaskans to give significant tax breaks for this project is like promising someone a loan to buy the world’s most expensive house, only to find out how much it costs after closing.
Glenfarne and AGDC are asking for tax cuts based on economic assumptions — like rates of return on equity for developers and cost of gas for Alaskans — that continue to fall apart under close scrutiny from legislators. This short clip from a recent Senate Majority press conference shows just how flimsy some of developers’ key claims are about the AK LNG project.
Take action now and tell legislators not to reward project secrecy with public subsidies.
Unfortunately, the “Sustainable Energy Conference” that has been held annually for the past 5 years in Anchorage is not actually about sustainable energy solutions. It was established by the Dunleavy administration to woo Outside oil and gas executives and is bankrolled by fossil fuel developers. At last year’s conference they handed out pins that literally said “I love fossil fuels.” (By definition, fossil fuels are a finite resource and are not sustainable in any sense of the word.).
Sustainable energy sources meet current energy needs without compromising energy needs or the climate for future generations. Instead of promoting real sustainable energy solutions, such as wind, solar and responsible hydroelectric power, the majority of the “Sustainable Energy Conference” program is dedicated to billionaires and their allies devising ways to keep pushing dirty, war-causing energy that generates revenue for themselves at the cost of everyday Alaskans. We know real sustainable energy already works across the state and saves you money. Instead of riding the expensive roller coaster of fuel oil prices, Kodiak Island has switched to nearly 100% sustainable energy production and currently pays electric bills lower than in 2001. How does that compare to your electric bill?
Other community examples of sustainable energy lowering electric bills include solar and biomass in Galena and wind power in Kotzebeau. Industries are also cashing in on the cheaper, sustainable energy including geothermal heating at Chena Hotsprings Resort and a large solar/battery storage investment at the Red Dog Mine. The sustainable energy conference should be geared towards identifying ways to implement these cheaper and real sustainable energy solutions more widely. That is not what happens. Don’t be fooled by a falsely named gathering pushing false energy solutions geared at making the rich richer.
If you’re also suspicious about the Governor’s "Sustainable" energy conference, we invite you to save the date for FCAC’s rally - noon on May 20th. Stay tuned for more details!
In addition to cool energy news, the energy newsletter team also likes fun stuff. And Alaskans are often involved in what some might call "type-2 fun". Like, navigating around a sinkhole on your evening walk, or battling a creek from a hostile driveway takeover. We'll call this edition of "fun stuff" the Terrible Driveways of the Goldstream Valley.
More ways to get involved
Join Our Street Team!
Throughout the month of May volunteers will be canvassing in GVEA districts 1 and 2 (respectively Goldstream and Ester areas) to get out the vote for this important GVEA election. Volunteers will be trained up and sent out with candidate literature and tote bags filled with canvassing googies and dog treats for our furry friends. If you want to get involved please email Lee at lee@fbxclimateaction.org or fill out our Google Form to sign up for a canvassing shift, or two!
Become a Member of FCAC!
By signing up for membership, you become part of the climate justice movement in creating a sustainable and equitable future for Alaska. As a member, you can join others and contribute to our coalition projects and campaigns while getting exclusive resources and engaging in opportunities for climate action, community gatherings, organizing training, and leadership development. Become a member here.
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