Building a Pro-Renewable local Electric Co-op
Ratepayers hold the power in our local utility board elections, with members voting for a rotating seat of 7 board members. At FCAC, we support community members to organize around renewable energy issues and to elect board members who reflect their values.
ABOUT GVEA ELECTIONs
Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) is a member‑owned cooperative, which means if your name is on an energy bill, you have a voice in shaping their decisions. FCAC’s Renewable Energy Working Group supports co‑op members in using that voice in public meetings and during GVEA’s annual Board of Directors elections. These elections determine who sets priorities for energy investments, reliability, and the pace of our community’s transition to renewable power sources.
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GVEA’s Board of Directors shapes how Interior Alaska produces and uses electricity, from deciding whether we invest in new renewable projects to choosing fuel contracts, planning grid upgrades, and setting long‑term priorities. These choices affect our monthly bills, access to reliable power, and how quickly our community can move toward cleaner, more affordable energy.
Turnout in co‑op elections is often surprisingly low, usually under 15%, meaning a small number of people end up making decisions that affect all of us.
FCAC’s Renewable Energy Working Group works to change that by strengthening community empowerment and advancing energy democracy - the principle that the people who rely on the electric system should guide its direction.
Every spring, GVEA members receive ballots by mail or electronically. Voting is quick and open to every member. When more people participate, the board becomes more reflective of the community it serves. Increasing turnout among members who care about clean energy, fairness, and local decision‑making helps ensure that GVEA’s leadership supports a transition away from fossil‑fuel dependence and toward renewable, locally controlled power.
JOIN THE VOLUNTEER STREET TEAM!
We are recruiting canvassing volunteers for the GVEA election cycle to help get out the vote and talk to folks about energy issues.
ENERGY NEWS FROM FCAC
Do you want to learn more about our work with gvea?
Click the link below to learn more about the FCAC Renewable Energy Working Group & get involved with our energy justice work.