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“Because the project (Healy Coal Plant 2) was being overseen by a governmental body, which had never developed or built a power plant before … management of the project understandably but inexcusably floundered and then almost collapsed”
(GVEA Statement of Facts)
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Other Citizen Action Groups |
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Golden Valley Ratepayer’s Alliance
Get the Story Straight: Healy Coal Plant 2 is Upside Down in Debt
Dreamt up over 20 years ago, Healy 2 has never been able to go online because it has never worked. In the 1998, Healy 2 only made it out of its testing phase by using a higher grade coal than it was designed for. Ultimately, the plant was shut down in 2000 because safe, reliable, and economic operation was not possible. At this point $300 million had been invested in Healy 2.
Now, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), in an attempt to ditch the failed project, is selling it to Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA). AIDEA is providing $95 million in loans and credit to GVEA just to get Healy 2 off AIDEA’s hands. Now Healy 2 is on your hands!
GVEA is proposing to spend millions more in getting this decade-old technology up to date. Millions more will need to go into refitting the plant to comply with new mercury emissions and anticipated greenhouse gas rules. GVEA has never come clean about true cost of Healy 2 and has never proven any supposed benefits. Healy 2 never heated a single home or lowered my electric bill—and it never would.
We need to cut our losses in Healy 2 and invest instead in natural gas and energy efficiency—proven ways to create more jobs in the community, more stable energy costs, and lighter monthly bills.
CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE STORY
CLICK HERE TO TELL THE GVEA WHAT YOU THINK
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Who We Are
The Golden Valley Ratepayer’s Alliance promotes responsible decisions when it comes to our electric co-op. GVEA is using our money, and it is our job to make sure they spend it responsibly. It is GVEA’s duty to provide us with reliable, affordable, and clean electricity without piling debt on the backs of it ratepayers—on our backs!
The way we choose to power our homes in the heart of Alaska cannot only improve the way we treat our surroundings but also the way we make our livings.
If you have comments, questions, or information to add, please contact us at ResponsibleRatepayers@gmail.com
Take action to make it happen!
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Letter to the Golden Valley Electric Association
The GVEA trying to fool us into financing the restart of the Healy coal-fired power plant 2. We will not support this failed project that is upside-down in debt. Click HERE to let the Board of Directors know what you think.
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2010 GVEA Board of Director Elections
This year’s candidates are as follows: |
District 5 Candidates
- Hank Bartos
- Tim Beck
- Ron Bergh, incumbent
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District 6 Candidates
- John Sloan, incumbent
- Tana Wood
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GVEA will mail out ballots on May 7, 2010, only to districts 5 and 6.
There are seven geographical districts covering GVEA’s service area. Members in each district elect a member to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term.
CLICK HERE To view your district (you may also find it printed on your bill) |
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GVEA Meetings
Board meetings are typically the 4th Monday of every month, but that’s not the case for all of them. All members can attend but please give them warning info@gvea.com.
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- July (no meeting)
- August 23
- September 27
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- October 25 in Delta Junction
- November 22
- December 20
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Meetings are held at in the Operations Building’s Board Room at 6pm: GVEA 758 Illinois Street, Fairbanks, AK 99707 | MAP
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Member Advisory Committee
The Member Advisory Committee (MAC) serves advises the board and is the middle ground between members and the board. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm, same place. All members are welcome!
- April 14
- April 27 – Annual Members’ Meeting at Carlson Center
- May 12
- June 9
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- July 14
- August 11
- September 8
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- October 13
- November 10
- December 8
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 Letter to the US Department of Agriculture
Check out a recent letter we sent to the US Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General. We joined forces with electric cooperatives across the US urging the department to use transparent processes and due diligence while providing loans and liens worth billions of dollars to utilities. We don’t want shaky finances to fall onto our backs. CLICK HERE
For more information, check out our March 16, 2010 PRESS RELEASE
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Energy Efficiency
The Golden Valley Ratepayer’s Alliance supports energy efficiency. Golden Valley Electric Association is the second largest electricity provider on the Railbelt with over 1,000 mega watt hours per year.
The recent study, “REEL in Alaska Roadmap,” demonstrates how Alaskans in the Railbelt can meet our electricity needs with up to 50% greater efficiency by 2025 (compared to 2000). That’s just 3.3% per year over the next 15 years. We feel GVEA is at a crossroads and can make this happen.
If the Railbelt utility associations collectively move on reaching a 50% improvement of energy efficiency, it could generate up to $950 million in economic output, $290 million in wages, $53 million in business income, but most importantly, some 9,350 new jobs. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY
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