Behind the Switch

A Newsletter Edition
January 11, 2024
Happy New Year from CVEA!
The entire team at
Copper Valley Electric wishes you and your family a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Introducing Copper Valley Electric's
NEW Communication Tool 

Behind the Switch - A Newsletter Edition

 
CVEA is excited to announce that the Cooperative is embracing a new era of communication. In line with the Co-op’s commitment to deliver more timely and relevant information, CVEA has decided to shift from distributing the traditional printed Ruralite Magazine each month to a more affordable, flexible, and sustainable digital newsletter format. 
Stay Updated, Stay Connected
Each month, the digital newsletter will be emailed directly to the member inbox CVEA has on file. To ensure you don’t miss the latest news and information, please make sure your email address is current in CVEA records. To update information, members can call 907-822-3211 in the Copper Basin, 907-835-4301 in Valdez, or email Customer Service. SmartHub users can update their information using their SmartHub account. Members will also find the monthly newsletter each month linked on CVEA’s official Facebook page and at cvea.org. 
Your Feedback Matters
CVEA is dedicated to ensuring members are well informed and engaged. If you have questions or feedback regarding the new format or the reasons behind the change, please email Customer Service. The Co-op looks forward to strengthening connections with members through this exciting new communication effort.
Email Customer Service
Holiday Wrap-Up
Want to win a $50 CVEA Energy Credit? 
Answer our first-ever 
digital newsletter poll.
 
It's January! Have you taken down and put away your holiday decorations?
Yes
No
Celebrating Our Seniors This Holiday

CVEA employees spent time with local seniors in the Copper Basin and Valdez as part of the Co-op's annual holiday giving program. The holiday celebrations that include time together complete with
food, gifts, and games, as well as support of the Meals on Wheels program, have become a favorite holiday tradition. 
2023 CVEA Community Foundation Distributions
2024 Alaska Wildlife Calendars Available While Quantities Last
We still have quantities of the CVEA 2024 Alaskan Wildlife Calendars available at both CVEA offices.
    Get one for your home, office, or someone you love. These are our gift to CVEA members and a great value! Stop in and get yours during normal business hours.

Get Involved at Your Cooperative

Run For a Seat on the
CVEA Board of Directors

Join a dedicated group of community members who volunteer for the benefit of all CVEA members. Three director seats are up for election in 2024; one seat in the Copper Basin and two in Valdez. Each will hold a three-year term.

If you have been a member of CVEA for at least 12 continuous months, are a member in good standing, are not an employee now or have not been an employee in the past three years, and are not a close relative of an incumbent director or employee, you may be eligible to be a director.

The deadline to submit a nomination packet is 5 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2024. For a complete list of director qualifications, and instructions for completing and submitting a nomination packet, contact customer service.
Interested in Running? Email Customer Service


CVEA's Community Foundation Scholarship Committee is Looking For Volunteers

The Scholarship Selection Committees review scholarship application packets, determine which students to interview, conduct interviews, and select who will be awarded scholarships. These committees meet during March and April.

 


The Co-op is Seeking Members for the
2024 Credentials and Elections Committee

Members who serve on the C&E Committee are responsible for validating signatures on election ballot envelopes and counting ballots for director elections and bylaws amendments. Interested members cannot be employees, directors, candidates or relatives of these persons. 
Service on the committee takes place during March and April.
Interested in Participating - Click Here

$14,000 in CVEA Community Foundation Scholarships Available - Time to Apply


CVEA will offer one $2,000 and two $1,000 General Scholarships, and one Youth Rally Leadership Camp Scholarship in each district in 2024. 
General scholarships will be awarded to well-rounded high school seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education through a vocational or technical school, apprenticeship training, or a college degree program.
The Idaho Youth Rally scholarship provides an opportunity for sophomores and juniors to attend a week-long industry leadership camp in Caldwell, Idaho in July, where students practice leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while learning about electric utility practices and issues.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Thursday, February 15.
Click for Details and Applications

2024 Budget Priorities

The 2024 budget is a responsible budget that balances the need to keep member rates as low as possible, have adequate margins at the end of the year, meet key banking requirements, and complete projects that are important for improving system reliability.
Priority projects funded in the 2024 budget are:
1. Valdez Underground Replacement in the Dayville Road area - 
$2.3 million
**Aging infrastructure - these underground circuits are over 40 years old
**Will replace wood poles, insulators, and hardware
2. Relicensing of the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Project - $400k in 2024 ($1.4 million over 8 years)
**The project license expires in 2028
**Several studies are required; seven onsite studies will be completed in 2024
3. Cogeneration Project Overhaul - $1.5 million
**Required after every 30,000-35,000 hours of run time
**Last overhaul completed in 2015
4. Transmission Line Inspections - $650k
Two detailed inspections of the transmission line will be completed in 2024
**Arial inspections are scheduled every 8 years;
this is required to identify discrepancies that cannot be seen from the ground
**Wood pole inspections are scheduled every 8 years;
this is required to identify pole and insect rot
Proper maintenance will extend the life of the poles.
Watch future newsletter editions for details on these important projects.

Solomon Gulch Substation Project Complete

CVEA would like to congratulate everyone on the successful completion of the Solomon Gulch Substation Project, and thank those who have worked hard to improve reliability for the members of the cooperative. Stay tuned for a project recap in the February issue of Behind the Switch - A Newsletter Edition.
CVEA Employee Spotlight
Lindsay Malone

Meet Lindsay, who has been a part of the CVEA Team for 10 years! Lindsay started in 2014 as the Office Admin and has been in key roles within the Cooperative to include Accountant, Office Manager, Accounting & HR Manager, and currently the Finance Manager. Lindsay has been a key role in improving the hiring and onboarding process for CVEA. In her free time she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family and pets.
Thanks for all you do Lindsay!
Billing Updates
Member Bills Just Got Better
CVEA member bills will have a new look starting January 2024. The updated design provides the same information, just makes it easier to identify your balance, late payments, and any important messages from the cooperative. New, up-to-date information is also coming to the back of the bill, so don't forget to flip! Have questions or comments? Email Customer Service by clicking the button below.
Email Customer Service
SmartHub Got an Upgrade
SmartHub got an upgrade and CVEA members will see the changes in February. While getting used to the new look and navigation, you'll enjoy the same functionality, and same great way to manage your electric costs and usage. 
Smart Management. Smart Life. SmartHub.
Click Here to Access SmartHub

Expect January to Bring Higher Energy Bills

Members will soon receive their January electric bills. Reminder - January bills are often higher due to colder weather affecting home heating and the need to plug in vehicles, and the holidays which typically mean more people at home, increased cooking/baking, visitors, and holiday lighting, to name a few. In almost every case, significant January increases are due to increased usage. 

We encourage members to review their usage on their bill or SmartHub.
Click for Energy Saving Tips
Upcoming Deadlines
Director Nomination Packets Due Thursday, February 8

The deadline to submit nomination packets for a seat on the CVEA Board of Directors is fast approaching. Packets are due by 5 p.m., Thursday, February, 8.
Scholarship Applications
Due Thursday, February 15

Educational and Youth Leadership Scholarship applications are due by 5 p.m., Thursday, February 15.
Don't miss your chance to apply!
Career Opportunities

CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website.
Visit Careers
Important Dates
 
2024 Annual Meeting 
Save the Date

The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held in the Valdez district on Tuesday, April 30, and in the Copper Basin district on Thursday, May 2. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars.
Copper Valley Electric Association  I  info@cvea.org  I  907-822-3211  
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