Dave Messier

DAVE’S CANDIDATE STATEMENT

“The high cost of energy and its impact on Fairbanks businesses and families is what caused me to run for the board 9 years ago. Keeping our utility focused on lowering long term costs is still a top priority I bring to every meeting. That said, as members in a cooperative it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our electrical system is managed and maintained to keep our power reliable and the lights on. Providing reliable electricity requires investment, not just through the rates we all pay but through the willingness of board members to commit their time, energy and experience to help our co-op succeed. I’m running because I have a proven track record of that commitment and I would be honored to have your vote so that I can continue to serve and continue to keep our utility focused on reliably delivering electricity to our members.d accountable to its members.

Reducing energy costs for Alaskans is a special interest for me. Since 2009 I’ve led dozens of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, installed community scale battery energy storage systems, co-authored federal legislation and presented to the Alaska legislature on energy challenges. As a GVEA Board member I’ve used my knowledge and experience to champion our ongoing large wind and battery energy storage projects as well as the on-bill financing program that GVEA now offers. These efforts are projected to lower our long term electric rates and help make the interior a more affordable place to live and work.”

Phil Wight

PHIL’S CANDIDATE STATEMENT

“We are facing an energy crisis. With residential utility charges jumping 8.37%, the loss of lower-cost gas power and the threat of rolling blackouts, ‘business as usual’ is not working. Costs are rising with intensifying ice storms and forest fires.

GVEA must evolve to meet these serious challenges. Our Cooperative needs renewed Board leadership, persistent innovation, and bold action to secure our grid and save members’ money.

As Chair of GVEA’s Member Advisory Committee, I led a task force which demonstrated how GVEA can improve reliability and reduce bills by investing in member-owners’ homes. As an energy historian, I’ve written a comprehensive history of our grid, “Electrifying the Railbelt,” and testified on Alaska energy issues before the U.S. House. As a policy analyst, I authored successful bipartisan legislation (SB152) to save ratepayer’s money with Community Solar. As a father, I will ensure Fairbanks remains a land of opportunity for our children.

For the past decade, I’ve consulted on home energy projects and helped neighbors install insulation, solar panels, and batteries to lower energy costs. After driving an electric vehicle 4,300 miles to Fairbanks, I’ve helped several friends acquire home chargers and plug-in vehicles. I want my friends and neighbors to have cleaner, cheaper energy options. Beyond energy, I groom and maintain local multi-use trails. I regularly write newspaper op-eds and offer Alaska history presentations at the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society and Alaska Mining Hall of Fame. We have much to learn from our proud history of northern tenacity and bootstrap innovation.”