Behind the Switch
A Newsletter Edition
July 11, 2024
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Coffee with CEO, Jaime Matthews | |
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Join us for the 2024 CVEA Member Tour in Valdez on Tuesday, August 13 from 10-5 p.m. Members will tour:
- The Valdez Diesel Plant & Don Smith Substation
- The Cogeneration Plant at Petro Star
- The Solomon Gulch Hydro Plant & Dam
- The Allison Creek Hydro Plant & Diversion Structure
Members will also enjoy lunch, view an award-winning video presentation, and have time for Q&A with CVEA's CEO and key staff members.
If you have questions or would like to register, contact Sarah Jorgenson-Owen, CVEA Marketing & Communications Specialist, at 907-835-7004 or by clicking the button below.
The deadline to register is 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 30.
Space is limited to 20 members. A minimum of 4 participants is required for this event. Some stops are weather dependent.
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CVEA Community Foundation Local Nonprofit Contribution Season Began June 17, 2024 | |
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The CVEA Community Foundation Board approved $30,105 to fund the 2024 Local Nonprofit Contribution Season; the largest amount of available funds to date.
If you are a local nonprofit interested in funding from the CVEA Community Foundation, please review the CVEA Community Foundation contribution guidelines found on our website to see if you qualify. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Read more about the Contribution Season or visit our website below.
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Community Foundation Contributions Committee is Looking for Volunteers | |
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The CVEA Community Foundation is looking for interested members to serve on the Contributions Committee.
- Review and score Contribution Requests sent in by local nonprofit organizations
- Make funding recommendations to the Board
- 1-2 meetings in September/ October (time commitment is estimated 8 hours or less)
- Excellent opportunity to serve your community and your Cooperative
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Sarah Jorgenson-Owen, CVEA Marketing & Communications Specialist, at 907-835-7004 or by clicking the button below.
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Summer Substation Maintenance Projects | |
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View project photos in the slideshow above. Photos by Scott Shipman, Copper Basin Line Foreman
Each summer, CVEA undertakes a comprehensive preventative testing and maintenance project at all nine substations throughout the Co-op's service territory. For 2024, this significant project is expected to take roughly one month to complete and cost over $300,000. The team involved includes the CVEA Line Crew, Dispatch, Kyle Anderson (CVEA Hydro Chief Plant Operator), Todd Stahley (Project Manager), Steve Williams (Power Generation Manager), Dirk Williams (Operations Manager), and representatives from SEI (contractor).
Despite the scale of this annual effort, the work is vital. Substations are crucial hubs that distribute power across the grid, and any equipment or infrastructure failures can lead to widespread outages. The project encompasses testing, repairing, and replacing current and spare voltage transformers, arresters, oil circuit breakers, bushings, and gaskets. Additionally, crews will perform oil sample testing and firmware updates.
Substations ensure system reliability through relay and recloser coordination, and they can restore power by switching the direction of power feeds. Preventative maintenance like this is essential to keep the substations operational. Upgrading to the latest firmware helps reduce the likelihood of unplanned outages.
As critical equipment continues to age, such as at Pump Station 11, Pump Station 12, Meals Substation, and the Don Smith Substation - all over 40 years old - the importance of annual maintenance inspections and testing increases. These efforts are key to supporting CVEA's strategic goal of maintaining and improving system reliability.
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Co-op Month Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch is Seeking Nonprofits for Fundraising Opportunity! | |
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If you are a local nonprofit organization, help CVEA put the FUN in FUNdraiser during Co-op Month this October at the Pick-Your-Own-Pumpkin-Patch events in the Copper Basin & Valdez! We are looking for nonprofit organizations in each district to help us coordinate and staff several pumpkin patch themed fundraisers. Nonprofit groups who participate will earn exposure in the community and PROFITS of course!!
If you are interested or would like more information, contact Sarah Jorgenson-Owen at 907-835-7004 or by clicking the button below.
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Want to win a
$50 CVEA Energy Credit?
Answer our July
digital newsletter poll
by 6 p.m., July 15.
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| What is your favorite frozen dessert to enjoy during summer? | | | Congratulations to Becky Smilie, the winner of CVEA's June e-Newsletter poll. | |  |
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CVEA Employee Spotlight
Jason Shiell
| Meet Jason, who has been a part of the CVEA Team for seven years! Jason started in 2017 as a Plant Operator Trainee and was promoted in 2023 to the Diesel Chief Plant Operator. Jason demonstrates the qualities of a driven and dedicated leader. He is committed to safe, reliable power supply to his community and CVEA members. Jason enjoys spending his free time with his family; fishing hiking, hunting, and anything outdoors. Thanks for all you do Jason! | | |
Solomon Gulch Relicensing - Recreation Survey | |
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CVEA is conducting a Recreation Study as part of the relicensing of the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Project. If you have participated in any recreational activities at the Project recreation site, the John Hunter Memorial Trail, please complete the brief survey by clicking the button below.
The survey deadline is September 2, 2024. For additional information regarding the survey or relicensing, check out the project reports section at cvea.org.
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Alaska Power Association
Federal Legislative Conference
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CVEA CEO, Jaime Matthews, was part of the Alaska Power Association contingency in Washington, D.C., in June, as part of the 2024 APA Federal Legislative Conference. Pictured above, Matthews joined a diverse group of APA electric utility members to advocate for programs and policies that benefit Alaska's electric utilities.
Above photo and article by APA Deputy Director, Michael Rovito, CCC
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CVEA's Secure Phone Pay Number Changed July 10, 2024 | |
Energy Efficiency and Safety Tips | |
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Your Energy Use Should Go On Vacation When You Do
CVEA reminds members going on vacation this summer to make sure their home's energy use takes a vacation as well. Here are simple tips that give your electric bill a break when you take a break:
- Lower your thermostat; your heater doesn't need to keep you warm when you aren't there
- Use timers to operate one or two lights each night for safety in your absence and turn off all others
- Unplug electronic devices; most newer devices, like those with a digital display, instant-on feature, or remote control all consume energy even if they're off or not in use
- Turn your water heater's temperature down to the lowest setting; look for a vacation setting
- Adjust the refrigerator control to a slightly warmer setting; if you aren't home to open the door, contents will stay colder longer
For more energy-saving tips, click the button below.
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Power Tool Safety Tips
Before you fire up that power tool for your next do-it-yourself home project this summer, remember that these electrical devices must be treated with care.
Keep in mind these tips from the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) when using power tools:
- Do not carry tools by their cords
- Pull the cord out of the outlet by the plug, not by pulling on the cord
- Do not use in a wet or damp job site, unless the tool is specifically approved for those conditions; store them in a dry place when not being used
- When carrying the tool, avoid touching the switch or trigger to avoid accidental starts
- Ensure your work area is well-lit
- Unplug tools when cleaning, repairing, changing parts, or when not in use
- Ensure cords are not worn or frayed
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electric shocks
- Appropriate personal protective gear should be worn when using power tools; no ties, jewelry, or other loose items that could get caught
For more electric safety tips, click the button below.
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Be More Efficient With Smart Home Technologies
Smart home technologies are transforming how we live, making our homes more comfortable, convenient, and energy efficient than ever before.
Smart home technologies are devices that communicate with each other to automate everyday tasks and functions around the home, like heating and cooling or lighting and security. In addition to convenience, smart technologies enable consumers to manage and monitor their energy consumption through device scheduling and control.
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We Want Your Feedback And Ideas! | |
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Have Feedback on the e-Newsletter or Ideas For Articles?
CVEA's goal is to meet your communication needs. If you have feedback or topics you would like to see included in a future issue of Behind the Switch - A Newsletter Edition, send us an email by clicking the button below. We will review thoughts and ideas and do our best to make adjustments and include member suggestions throughout the year.
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Member Comments and Questions | |
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Copper Valley Electric wants to know what members have to say, and our team is on hand to answer questions you may have.
If you have comments or questions on any CVEA topic, email Customer Service by clicking the link below.
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CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website. | |
- July 4 I Independence Day - CVEA Offices Closed
- July 10 I Secure Pay phone number changes to 855-938-3623
- July 16 I 8-10 a.m. I Coffee w/CEO - Copper Basin
- July 17 I 8-10 a.m. I Coffee w/CEO - Valdez
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July 18 I 10 a.m. I CVEA July Board Meeting
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July 30 I 5 p.m. I Deadline to register for the 2024 Member Tour
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Copper Valley Electric Association | info@cvea.org | 907-822-3211 | www.cvea.org
Mile 187 Glenn Highway, PO Box 45, Glennallen, AK 99588
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Stay up to date on our Facebook page or visit us at cvea.org | |
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Copyright © 2023 Copper Valley Electric Association, All rights reserved. | | | | |
