Chugach Electric program builds charging capacity in Anchorage

The Dimond Center is the latest Anchorage business to team up with Chugach Electric on an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The Dimond Center has installed a facility to charge electric vehicles on the west side of the mall, near a main entrance. The installation was completed with financial assistance from Chugach as part of a research project to gather information about the use of publicly available chargers in Anchorage.

When:        Friday, Oct. 2

Time:         1:00 pm

Where:      The Dimond Center, the charging station is located on the west side of the mall, near the Chili’s entrance

Who:          Representatives from Chugach Electric, the Dimond Center and the EV community

Participants will be wearing face coverings and exercising physical distancing. Please bring a face covering with you.

For more information on the EV program at Chugach and National Drive Electric Week:

Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and Chugach Electric Association CEO Lee Thibert announced the acquisition of Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) by Chugach Electric Association is anticipated to close on Friday, October 30, 2020. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) conditionally approved the acquisition of ML&P by Chugach Electric in May. Chugach and the Municipality of Anchorage have been working together to finalize the transaction and move to closing.

Chugach Electric Association is offering several new electric vehicle (EV) related incentives to promote the use of EVs in Alaska. Individually, the incentives are intended to help the utility’s members interested in owning and driving an EV and the businesses that would like to serve them. Collectively, the programs will help Chugach learn more about the trend toward transportation electrification and its impacts on the power grid.

Due to a collaboration between Chugach Electric and JL properties, you can now charge an electric vehicle (EV) while shopping or dining at a development in South Anchorage. The equipment became active recently at the complex that houses South Restaurant, Mountain View Sports and other businesses near the Old Seward Highway and O’Malley Road.

Wildfire danger makes tree clearing top priority

Chugach Electric Assoc., is kicking off its 2020 summer right-of-way clearing program, reminding members of the need to keep utility easements free of trees and other vegetation. In order to provide safe and reliable service to members, Chugach clears trees year-round but has a more robust program in the summer when it is easier to access a utility easement, also called the right-of-way.

The Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors elected new officers Wednesday night, June 17, including re-electing Bettina Chastain as Board Chair.

The complete slate of officers includes:

Chugach Electric Association, Inc. members elected Sam Cason and Mark Wiggin to the utility’s board of directors. Election results were announced Monday night at the electric cooperative’s annual meeting held for the first time in a virtual platform in order to comply with health and safety concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brad Authier, Sam Cason, Mitchell Roth, and Mark Wiggin ran for the two open seats vacated by Harry Crawford and Susan Reeves who had both reached their term limits. Cason and Wiggin will each serve four-year terms.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) has conditionally approved the acquisition of Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) by Chugach Electric Association. The 152-page order was issued late Thursday night, May 28.

“We are still reviewing the order and the conditions imposed by the RCA to determine whether they are acceptable to Chugach,” said CEO Lee Thibert. “Assuming they are, we look forward to moving toward closing and a smooth transition for existing Chugach members and the new members from the ML&P system.”

Consistent with state and local guidance, Chugach Electric Assoc., is reopening its lobby with limited entry beginning at 8 am on Monday, May 4, 2020.  As a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and as a precautionary measure for the safety of all, Chugach closed its lobby to the public on March 17.  As both the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage are now releasing guidelines and safety criteria to allow businesses to reopen or expand operations, Chugach will reopen 8 am to 5 pm weekdays with new procedures in place.

Maintaining safe, reliable power while responding to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, Chugach Electric Association has a new process for making payment arrangements with members facing a financial hardship due to the pandemic. On March 17, Chugach temporarily suspended disconnects due to non-payment and stopped assessing late payment fees due to the challenges members are facing from the impacts of COVID-19.

As a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and as a precautionary measure for the safety of our employees, our members and the community, Chugach will be closing its lobby to the public at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 31.

Ways to reach Chugach

During this time, members will still be able to conduct business with Chugach through a variety of methods:

Chugach is pleased to be partnering with five commercial members who were selected to be participants in an electric vehicle (EV) charging station research project.  In exchange for research information, Chugach is providing funding toward the installation of “Level 2” charging stations with universal connectors that can charge any EV.  The five members were selected competitively based on criteria such as geographic diversity and activities available while charging.  They are: