Behind the Switch

A Newsletter Edition

June 13, 2024

2024 Board Officers

Lon Rake

President

Yvette Delaquito

Vice President

Dan Stowe

Secretary

Will Stark

Treasurer

Unclaimed Capital Credits

In December 2023, CVEA made general retirements of capital credits. Some past members did not receive a check because the cooperative did not have a valid mailing address. CVEA is currently noticing unclaimed capital credits from the 2023 retirement.

The 2023 Unclaimed Capital Credit List is located at cvea.org. It is arranged in alphabetical order, by district. You can access the list by clicking the button below. Please check the list for your family, friends, and neighbors. If you find their name on the list, encourage them to contact Customer Service to update their information.

Email: customerservice@cvea.org

Phone: 907-822-3211 (Copper Basin) or 907-835-4301 (Valdez)

Distributions which remain unclaimed after all noticing requirements have been met will revert to the CVEA Community Foundation.

Unclaimed Capital Credit List

Coffee with CEO, Jaime Matthews

Questions?

It is Construction Season at CVEA

Summer is upon us and homebuilding, renovations, upgrades, and yard work are happening at a rapid pace. Make sure you're planning for your needs this construction season.

Construction Cost Calculator


If you are looking for an estimate on a permanent, single-phase, residential service, CVEA has a construction cost calculator that can help. Click the button below.

Construction Cost Calculator

Construction Tips

If you are in need of an upgraded service, relocated meter base, additional meter, or all together brand new service, CVEA can help. 

Click the button below for steps that summarize the general process and procedures necessary for CVEA to complete construction of a new or upgraded service.

Construction at CVEA

CVEA Community Foundation Local Nonprofit Contribution Season Begins June 17, 2024

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.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 15, 2024.

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Visit Our Website

Solomon Gulch Bubbler and Sensor Replacement Project

Recently, members of the CVEA Generation team, with support from Operations, replaced and rerouted a damaged bubbler line and two lake level sensors at the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Project. The project was crucial for maintaining the functionality and accuracy of critical instrumentation. Despite complexities, the team completed the project ahead of time and under budget. 

Enjoy project photos by viewing the short slideshow above

Read More

CVEA Service Territory Map

Have you ever wondered exactly what areas make up CVEA's service territory? Did you know the service territory extends even beyond the end of the line? Do you know what locations we are referencing during power outage updates? We have recently updated our service territory map to provide more information for our members. Take a look at the map below and enjoy a few interesting statistics about CVEA's service territory!

  • CVEA is a stand alone electric cooperative, not interconnected to any other utility
  • CVEA serves approximately 23,000 square miles; roughly the size of West Virginia
  • Service is provided to over 260 miles along major highways including the Richardson, Glenn, and Edgerton; 160 miles north to south and 100 miles east to west
  • There are over 540 miles of distribution lines
  • CVEA has 9 substations and 5 power plants within the service territory
  • Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Plant
  • Allison Creek Hydroelectric Plant
  • Cogeneration Plant
  • Valdez Diesel Plant
  • Glennallen Diesel Plant
  • The SCADA system has remote control of all generating plants
  • There are roughly 3,900 residential and commercial members throughout the service territory, spread throughout two service districts (Copper Basin and Valdez)
  • CVEA maintains offices and customer service support in both districts
  • There is a density of 7 customers per mile


Map created by Cindy Butherus, CVEA Operations Admin. Click the image below for a magnified view.

Want to win a

$50 CVEA Energy Credit?

Answer our June

digital newsletter poll

by 6 p.m., June 17.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Travel
Visiting Friends and Relatives
Outdoor Adventures and Camping
Fishing

Congratulations to Robyn George, the winner of CVEA's May e-Newsletter poll.

CVEA Employee Spotlight

Kyle Anderson

Meet Kyle, who has been a part of the CVEA Team for 11 years! Kyle started in 2013 as a Power Plant Operator and was promoted to Hydro Chief Plant Operator in June of 2023.

Kyle has proven to be a strong leader dedicated to the safety and success of his team. He is committed to ensuring the smooth operation of our power plants to provide uninterrupted energy supply to the community. In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors with his family, whether it be hunting, fishing or hiking. Thanks for all you do Kyle! 

Putting Safety First

CVEA takes great pride in the safety culture we have developed over the past decade. We believe safety is vital for our staff, members, and community. Ensuring our employees return home each night in the same condition they arrived at work requires a continuous commitment to safety education. Along with regularly scheduled safety meetings and briefings, the Cooperative also organizes a variety of special safety trainings for the entire organization each year. In May, roughly 34 employees, from all departments, participated in Learn to Return Delayed Care Training. This class offers the best methods for handling pre-hospital care for illness or injury occurring in remote locations. Participants learned how to handle a wide-range of incidents that could happen when working and recreating within our vast service territory. There were 14 Generation and Operations team members who participated in Bear Awareness and Shotgun Defense Training. This class is for employees who work in bear habitat, and focuses on safety and use of a 12-gauge shotgun for personal protection and predator defense scenarios. Thanks to Coreen Palacios, CVEA Regulatory and Compliance Specialist, for coordinating this important program.

View the video below for photo highlights of these important training days.

Photos courtesy of Coreen Palacios and Zena Disney.

Energy Efficiency and Safety Tips

Summer Grilling Can Save Energy Costs


Summer is a prime opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. To reduce home energy use, avoid using your oven and use a grill instead.

Tasty no-bake recipes can help. While out in the backyard or camping, enjoy foil packs on the grill or campfire. A variety of tasty recipes can be found at thepioneerwoman.com.

Not only will cooking outdoors eliminate the electricity used to power the stove, it will also avoid raising the temperature inside your home, reducing the need for air conditioning or cooling.

Grilling is also a great way to bring people together. Make sure your feast includes a generous portion of fun and a side helping of safety! Never leave your grill unattended, and if you're using charcoal, don't add starter fluid once the coals have been ignited.

Energy Efficiency Tips

Use Caution When Working or Playing Near Power Lines


  • Don't fly kites or drones near power lines; if one gets into the lines, do not try to remove it yourself, call CVEA Dispatch at 866-835-2832 or call 911
  • Look up and around you; always be aware of the location of power lines, particularly when using long metal tools
  • Lower your long equipment when moving it; carry ladders and other long items horizontally
  • Be careful when working on or around your roof, installing rooftop antennas and satellite dishes, doing roof repair work or cleaning gutters; never go up on the roof in bad weather
Electric Safety Tips

We Want Your Feedback and Ideas!

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 your thoughts and ideas and do our best to make adjustments and include member suggestions throughout the year.

Submit Your Feedback and Ideas

Member Comments and Questions

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.

Customer Service

Career Opportunities

CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website by clicking the button below.

Visit Careers

Important Dates

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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