Spreading some holiday cheer, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., (Chugach) is issuing capital credits to thousands of current and former members as part of a more than $4 million retail capital credit retirement. The Chugach Board of Directors approved the retirement at its Oct. 15, 2024, board meeting.

On Sept. 25, 2024, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) issued an order announcing its decision on the rate case filed by Chugach Electric Association, Inc., in June of 2023. The filing was a requirement of Chugach’s acquisition of Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) four years ago.

Project to save fuel and boost reliability on the Railbelt

Installation is underway on two solar panel projects on Chugach Electric’s two largest power plants. One is located at Chugach’s Southcentral Power Project, located on Chugach’s South Campus on Electron Drive. The second is a ground-mount project located at the George M. Sullivan Power Plant on the Glenn Highway. Each project has a name plate capacity of 85 kilowatts, and both are expected to be in commercial operation by the end of October.

Chugach Electric Association, Inc.’s (Chugach) investment in the Beluga River Unit (BRU) natural gas field in Cook Inlet has saved members more than $100 million over the past eight years. Chugach holds a two-thirds working interest in the BRU, with Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) owning the remaining one-third and serving as operator of the field.  

With the current dry weather conditions and increased fire danger, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., is taking steps to mitigate wildfire risks in parts of its service territory, some of which could lengthen power outage times.  Chugach is taking temporary measures to power line operations in North Muldoon, South Anchorage, Indian, Girdwood, Portage, Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, and Tyonek.

The membership of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. elected two directors to the utility’s seven-member board of directors in the 2024 election. After four weeks of voting, election results were announced Friday night, May 17, at the electric cooperative’s annual meeting held in Anchorage at ChangePoint Alaska. 

After five years of study, analysis, and stakeholder engagement, Chugach Electric Association, Inc. (Chugach) and Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA), two of the owners of the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project, have sent the Proposed Final Fish and Wildlife Program (proposed final program) to Governor Mike Dunleavy for his consideration and approval. The submittal follows resolutions approving the proposed final program by the boards of directors of both Chugach and MEA.

Chugach Electric Association, Inc., is moving forward on a community solar program that will allow members to voluntarily subscribe and receive solar energy from the project. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) approved the utility’s request for an initial three-year pilot period.