I will continue to honestly and diligently represent all GVEA members

Gary Newman – running for re-election in 2024

I am running for re-election to the GVEA Board of Directors in District 4. The district boundaries and map are shown below. While much has been accomplished in the 8 1/2 years I’ve served, the next few years will be critical in guiding the future course of providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members. GVEA and I recognize that the money GVEA uses to operate is not ours – it’s the members’ money. This mean ALL members – residential and business, both commercial and industrial.

Campaigns tend to play to people’s fears and emotions. That’s not me. In service as a director, I will be honest in promoting trust with our members. The same goes for playing partisan politics. GVEA is not a political organization and I work to keep the focus on serving all our members.

It’s not an easy time to serve with recent and significant increases in the cost of each kilowatt. Members are understandably concerned and want answers. I’m a member too and share these concerns. I will be providing those answers as best I can, but can assure our members that it isn’t some effort to rip off our members. That makes no sense for a member owned cooperative, nor would it be reasonable with the amount of oversight we have with our auditors, lending institutions, and the regulators. GVEA is committed to doing its best with some serious headwinds outside of our control, but also with once-in-a-generation opportunities that will take a few years to come to fruition. The board has not always chosen well (e.g. Healy 2 before my time on the board), but it won’t be with a lack of due diligence as long as I serve on the board.

I have served on the GVEA Board for nearly 9 years, with 20 years prior actively engaging as a member. I feel fortunate to bring my expertise and broad knowledge of GVEA, technology, and the utility industry to complement a diverse board and address the many complex issues that face us. We have accomplished a lot in the time I have served, but of course, the challenges and opportunities don’t stop. In fact, the challenges and opportunities are greater than ever before in my time on the board. At the moment, challenges are greater now in the short term and we all recognize that and are working diligently toward sustainable solutions.

If I convey nothing else to you, with your trust, I pledge I will continue to serve you on the Board with honesty, integrity, knowledge, diligence, and commitment toward meeting our members’ energy needs for a brighter future. I ask for your vote.

Ballots will be sent out May 3, 2024 and the postcards that provide for on-line voting will be sent out the day before for online voting. Ballots are due by 5 pm Tues. June 4, 2024.

I note that there will be a number of proposed bylaw changes that members must vote on along with the district ballots. Please do take time to read the proposed bylaws and vote.

A number of goals I will work for in the next 3 years that include:

  • Stabilize and reduce rates.
  • Expand energy efficiency programs for members.
  • Increase reliability.
  • Facilitate Railbelt utilities working together for reduced costs and increased efficiencies.
  • Continue building Trust with members through actions and improved two-way communication.
  • Decide on how to address our aging 1960’s, 1970’s coal and diesel generation with solutions that will last at least 20 years.
  • Insure we take advantage of federal funding opportunities to benefit our members.
  • Facilitate the community solar program that the Member Advisory Committee (MAC) researched and advocates.
  • Find the best way to implement on-bill financing, also a MAC researched program.
  • Seek innovative ways for implementing distributed energy solutions.
  • Keep up with right of way clearing.
  • Conduct an in-depth operational and financial analysis adding a second naptha generation unit next to our existing North Pole unit. It could save us money on generation, reduce the liability of PM 2.5 from our diesel units, and provide regulation of variable energy sources and backup for when we might not have renewable resources available.

Here is my list of GVEA Accomplishments in the past 8 1/2 Years and significant issues before us into the future.

I support the following:

  • GVEA Mission and Vision Mission: Recognizing GVEA’s importance to the economic, environmental and social viability of our communities, the Cooperative’s mission is to safely provide its member-owners with reliable electric service, quality customer service and innovative energy solutions at fair and reasonable prices.

  • GVEA Values

  • Strategic Directives from the Board of Directors to Management.

  • Strategic Generation Plan from the Board of Directors to Management.

  • GVEA Bylaws

  • GVEA Board of Directors Policy Manual


Keep up to date with GVEA issues by checking my Facebook page.

Members are always welcome to contact me directly for questions, concerns, or feedback. Gary Newman
1083 Esro Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99712
907-488-2001
gvea@chena.org

If you’ve read this far, congratulations. In recognition of GVEA’s 75th Anniversary, I’ve been researching back how electricity came and has developed in Fairbanks. You can download the presentation here. Note in particular Slide 6 for a comparison of electric rates in 1921 vs. today.

How are we doing compared to 100 years ago?

1921-electricity-rates-Fairbanks-Alaska

District 4 is described as including downtown Fairbanks, north of Airport Way and east of Peger Rd up to the Chena River; the subdivisions of Island Homes, Hamilton Acres, Shannon Park and Birchwood Homes; all areas east of the Steese Hwy heading north out of Fairbanks and south of Goldstream Rd, including Chena Hot Springs Rd; also Secluded Acres Subdivision, located east of Ft. Wainwright and north of the Chena River.

GVEA District 4 Map Boundaries – Zoom in as needed