Chugach Electric Board Flips!  Rational Directors Now in Charge

May 22, 2024

With the radicalization of America’s energy system by ENGOs and ideologues an ongoing issue, utility boards have become a relatively new battleground.  Thankfully, people are waking up to their importance, and voting in numbers not historically seen in utility elections.

Last Friday night saw a fundamental shift in the ideology of Alaska’s largest electric utility.  After a month-long election process, ratepayers won, as the current board chair of Chugach Electric was bounced from his seat. 

The new board member, Dan Rogers, has a background in power generation, and is a former Chugach Electric employee.  His knowledge of energy, coupled with a background as a small business owner, is in stark contrast to the director he’ll soon replace on the board.

With pro-ratepayer directors now holding a 4:3 majority, expect Chugach to resist the decarbonization push many groups, including The Alaska Center, REAP (Renewable Energy Alaska Project) are pitching.  The current makeup of the board passed a “renewable portfolio standard” resolution of support; we’ll see if the new majority peels that back.