As a young biologist I came to Alaska in 1981; after working in western and northern Alaska a job with Alaska Department of Fish and Game brought me to Palmer in 1990. For the past 20 years my work has been related to building science, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. After 10 years as faculty/program head in Sustainable Energy programs for UAA and UAF I’m now mostly retired, except for a UAF wind-to-heat research project in Kotzebue. In my work I have learned from electric utility managers, energy project developers, community leaders and state and federal policymakers. I have been active in our community, serving on the borough’s Energy Policy Review Commission, the borough Planning Commission, and on my community council. Since being elected to the MEA board in 2017 I’ve learned about the many issues and opportunities facing MEA – working with other Railbelt utilities, system upgrades to improve reliability, challenges related to the Valley’s growth, integrating renewable energy, and the constant challenge to keep rates affordable. I have seen our cooperative go from having a secure long-term natural gas supply contract to facing a very serious Cook Inlet gas supply crisis with no impending supply contract.

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I have learned how diversifying our supply options helps keep rates as low as possible for our co-op member-owners. Surveys show more than 70% of our member-owners want a larger share of our power to come from renewable sources: I was instrumental in establishing the current MEA goal of 50% clean energy by 2050. This is one step we can take to help reduce dependence on increasingly-expensive natural gas. Taking deliberate, economical actions to reduce our dependence on gas benefits our member-owners in the near and long term. (Kodiak Electric, also facing very high fuel costs, successfully transitioned to 99% renewable generation.)

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I believe our board has a done a good job working together to ensure the fiscal health of the cooperative while keeping electric rates as low as possible. My experience in community service and energy issues around the state will continue to ensure good discussion as our board considers the numerous issues facing the cooperative.

When not thinking about electric rates and reliability I enjoy hunting, hockey, skating, biking and home construction projects. I met my partner Judy here in Alaska; she’s a veterinarian at a local clinic and we share our home with several rescue pets.

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I would appreciate the opportunity to continue representing the Susitna River Coalition and rate-payers with re-election this season.