Golden Valley Electric Association's President & CEO Brian Newton will present "Footrace to Affordable Energy" at the Delta Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 18. 

Newton's presentation will spotlight the cooperative's efforts to meet the challenges of rising energy costs as well a discussion on short to long-term energy solutions. GVEA's recently completed Cost of Service Study will also be presented. 

Following the Chamber meeting, the co-op's Vice President of Transmission and Distribution Mike Wright, will offer a tour of GVEA's Delta Power Plant. In 2006, GVEA moved this 300-ton power plant from Fairbanks to increase reliability in the Delta area. 

Golden Valley Electric Association members will be paying a bit less for power due to a decrease in the Fuel Adjustment Charge on electric bills. The new rate of .08113 per kilowatt-hour was effective September 2.  

The effect is a decrease of about $5.75 for the average residential bill of 750 kWh. 

The Fuel Adjustment is based on a combination of forecasted and actual power costs. It is a monthly charge on members' bills that is recalculated quarterly. 

"Members see oil prices dropping and often expect they'll see a lower electric bill immediately," said President & CEO Brian Newton. "While our ability to respond to market changes lags a bit, we're glad we have this mechanism that allows us to pass on the co-op's savings to our members."  

Golden Valley Electric Association is now offering SNAP corporate sponsorship opportunities in response to businesses' requests to participate at a greater level. SNAP corporate sponsorships allow Interior businesses to promote their company and renewable energy at the same time. 

"The SNAP program has been very successful with nearly 600 individuals contributing," said President & CEO Brian Newton. "Offering the SNAP program to businesses is another way of promoting SNAP and supporting GVEA's renewable energy pledge." 

Sponsorship opportunities: $10, $25, $50 and $100 per month. At minimum, all sponsors receive a window decal promoting their participation and placement of their corporate logo on GVEA's website. 

There are currently 24 SNAP power producers online. In the past year, SNAP producers generated 67,781 kilowatt-hours - enough to power seven average Interior homes for a year. SNAP power producers are paid from voluntary contributions to the SNAP fund.  

Golden Valley Electric Association members who missed the co-op's recent Membership Meetings can now view the Our Energy, Our Future for Interior Alaska presentation online. GVEA held meetings in Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Healy, Nenana and North Pole throughout July. Video from Healy's Membership Meeting is now online. 

GVEA's Our Energy, Our Future for Interior Alaska campaign aims to educate members about upcoming energy issues, including rates, methods of energy production and costs associated with that production. It is also a grassroots call to action, encouraging members to voice their opinions to state and local legislators.  

Members can learn more about Our Energy, Our Future for Interior Alaska on GVEA's website.