C.O. Rudstrom

C.O. Rudstrom is a Project Manager for Soldotna’s Department of Public Works and has previously worked as an engineer. He is just completing his first term as an HEA Director representing District Two (encompassing parts of Soldotna, Sterling, and parts of Kasilof).

“The majority (85%) of the electricity that HEA produces comes from Cook Inlet natural gas.  The future cost of that gas is uncertain. I believe that diversifying our energy production is the best way to mitigate the risk of rising natural gas prices,” says C.O.  “The obvious ways to diversify in the near term is with solar, wind, and hydro. An important benefit of this diversification is the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”

C.O. has five goals for his second term on the Homer Electric Board:

• Continue HEA’s longstanding record of providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective electrical service to the Kenai Peninsula.
• Work to reduce HEA’s reliance on natural gas. C.O. believes this is an important part of maintaining a reasonable cost of electric service.
• Promote beneficial electrification. Selling more electricity to consumers will allow HEA to spread their fixed capital costs over a greater number of kWh’s. Selling more electricity will improve HEA’s economies of scale and help rates for consumers. Promoting heat pumps for residential heating and cooling and electric vehicle charging are two areas of potential load growth.
• Promote cooperation and coordination between the Railbelt utilities to increase grid efficiency by building more transmission interconnections, creating fair and consistent wheeling charges across the grid and coordinating resource development between utilities.
• Increase customer service satisfaction.

Jim Levine

Jim Levine has served on the Homer Electric Board since 2016, and prior to his current term he also served on the Board from 2009 through 2014. Jim works as a Project Manager with Jay-Brant General Contractors. Prior to his current role, Jim worked as the Quality Control Manager for the Islands and Oceans Visitors Center in Homer, as a Quality Assurance Representative, a Construction Contract Modifications Negotiator, and as and Engineering Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Natural gas from Cook Inlet has powered the Peninsula since the 1960’s. The state forecasts demand exceeding supply as early as 2027. Hilcorp has told the electric utilities not to count on them for future long-term gas contracts. HEA’s current contract expires next year,” says Jim, “With the cost of natural gas going up and the availability going down I feel it is imperative that we diversify our generation portfolio with alternative energy generation so we can minimize future rate increases to our members.”

During his time on the Homer Electric Board, Jim has worked towards:

• Establishing the cooperative’s Renewable Energy Committee, of which he was the first Chair.
• Building Homer Electric’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which saves members tens of thousands of dollars each day when disconnected from the other Railbelt utilities.
• Utilizing Homer Electric’s BESS to integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and diversify HEA’s energy generation options.

Robert Ernst

Robert Ernst is a commercial fisherman and teacher who recently retired from Nikiski High School. A 55 year Nikiski resident, he has seen firsthand how the cost of energy impacts Alaskans’ everyday lives.

“Currently the majority of the 80 megawatts of power necessary for the energy needs of our customers is generated by natural gas fueled generators at several locations. In the past, natural gas in the Cook Inlet basin seemed like an endless source of energy to serve our electrical needs. Recent disclosures by the sole producer of natural gas in the region indicate a future shortfall. This will have serious consequences for the cost of our energy in the future,” says Robert. “Fortunately, HEA already has infrastructure, such as our battery storage system, that will allow us to add more fuel-free generation sources and reduce our dependence on natural gas. Our region is rich in geothermal energy that could become the future backbone of the grid once the technology matures. Natural gas will remain part of our energy mix, but it would benefit us to search for alternatives and reduce the vulnerability of depending on it.”

“If elected to the HEA board of directors, I will work with other board members to continue developing diverse sources of power to energize our electrical grid and serve our members with safe, reliable and affordable electric energy into the future for our homes and businesses.”