Opinion: Wiggin and Cason will keep Chugach Electric moving in the right direction

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While the Anchorage mayoral runoff elections are in full swing, there is another election that receives less coverage and less participation, but is extremely important to our future: the Chugach Electric Power Association Board of Directors election, scheduled for May 15th. Voting will be held until. He is supporting incumbents Mark Wiggin and Sam Cason. They continue to work overtime to ensure a future of affordable and reliable power for southcentral Alaska.

Mark Wiggin has deep experience in the oil and gas industry, including as former Deputy Director of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. His understanding of Alaska’s oil and gas landscape informs his belief that diversification is critical to increasing energy reliability and affordability in the railbelt.

As Chairman of the Chugach Power Commission, Sam Cason has worked to diversify the Chugach and Railbelt’s energy supply through the development of local renewable resources. As an attorney with decades of experience in state energy and regulatory matters, he is highly qualified to help drive the change we need.

Change will come whether we are ready or not. Cook Inlet’s natural gas, which has powered much of southcentral Alaska for the past 65 years, will soon not be enough to meet the region’s energy needs. Enstar President John Sims recently said the natural gas utility was facing a shortage starting next year and that the utility was “very close” to being unable to provide gas to homes in January. You need to plan and take action now to avoid supply disruptions, rising costs, or both.

Fortunately, the Cook Inlet region has vast renewable energy resources, including hydro, tidal, wind, geothermal, and solar power. With rapid advances in renewable energy technology and decreasing barriers to its deployment, our renewable energy resources can help cushion the risk of gas supply declines. Strategic use of renewable energy for electricity extends the life of natural gas resources and allows us to continue relying on gas to heat our homes and buildings.

However, forward-thinking leadership is needed to ensure the effective development and integration of these renewable resources. That’s why we support Wiggin and Cason. In our view, they are the only candidate who is committed to an aggressive approach to integrating renewable energy at the scale and timeline necessary to avert an energy crisis in South Central Alaska.

If you receive a bill from the Chugach Electric Association, you are a voting member. Learn how to vote here and vote for Mr. Wiggin and Mr. Cason on the Chugach Board.

harry crawford He is a retired ironworker who represented Anchorage as a Democrat in the Alaska State Legislature for 10 years and served on the Chugach Electric Co. board of directors for nine years. Lesile McGuire He is a project development consultant and lifelong Alaskan who represented Anchorage as a Republican in the Alaska State Assembly for 20 years. Both have championed the development of Alaska’s renewable energy resources throughout their careers and currently serve as senior advisors to the State of Alaska. new energy alaska Union.

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