Well-connected environmental activist organizations across Alaska are proactively working to stack local electric cooperative boards with candidates who are ideologically aligned with pursuing controversial and largely unproven alternatives to fossil fuel-based energy.

In particular, a group of climate-focused entities is targeting the Mat-Su, Homer and Chugach electrical co-ops, where local elections are currently underway to decide the leadership of these groups.

Given that these elections generally see extremely low participation rates, the aim is to mobilize left-leaning activists to swing the results in favor of green/renewable energy candidates.

ACTIVIST GROUPS WORKING TO INFLUENCE ALASKA

Lead Locally is a national activist group that works to influence local energy cooperative elections in Alaska and across the nation. Its stated goal is to “stop fossil fuels and build the Green New Deal from the grassroots up.”

“We work in partnership with state and local organizations to identify the most critical down-ballot climate elections, and then we do all we can to rally support for those candidates,” the organization’s website states. “By electing climate champions to city councils, county commissions, and state houses, we can block permitting for new pipelines, ban fracking across states, or win majorities that can pass massive green jobs bills.”

Another climate group working to influence Alaska elections is The Alaska Center, a catch-all organization that advocates for a whole host of progressive causes, including extreme opposition to fossil fuels and a transition to so-called “green energy.”

The Alaska Center is also a strong supporter of the Alaska Climate Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 organizations united by a quest to address “climate crisis head on at all levels of society,” while pushing an agenda that aims to gradually dismantling Alaska’s fossil fuel economy by the year 2050 through increasingly onerous “benchmarks” that the energy industry must achieve.  Alaska Climate Alliance members also support anti-oil and gas legislation and green energy bills.

Renewable Energy Project Alaska is a third prominent left-leaning organization that is proactively attempting to sway local elections in favor of green-energy candidates.

ALASKA CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

Matanuska Electric Association

The Matanuska Electric Association is holding mail-in and online voting for two seats on its seven-member board.

Candidates Connie Fredenberg and Daniel Jensen are both endorsed by the Alaska Center and Renewable Energy Project Alaska. Additionally, Fredenberg picked up the endorsement of Lead Locally.

For the MEA election, mail-in ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 27, which is when online voting closes. Members who did not vote by then will still have a chance to vote in-person at the Annual Membership Meeting. which takes place on Tuesday, April 28, at the Glenn Massay Theater. For more information, call the election hotline at (855) 761-9111

Homer Electric Association

The Homer Electric Association is holding online and mail-in elections to fill two seats on the nine-member board.

Lead Locally has endorsed candidates Mitchell (Mitch) Michaud and Patrick Parker as the most aligned with the group’s Green New Deal agenda.

To vote in the Homer Electric Association contest, voters can cast ballots online, via mail or at the annual membership meeting. Online voting ends at 5 p.m. on May 6. The annual membership meeting will take place on May 7 at Soldotna High School.

For more information about the election, click here or call (907) 235-8551 or (907) 283-5831.

Chugach Electric Association

The Chugach Electric Association election includes two open seats on the seven-member board. Voting will run from April 29 to May 29, with results announced at the annual meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at 4 p.m. at ChangePoint.

Of the four candidates running, environmentalist groups have endorsed two individuals – Rachel Morse and Penny Gage. Both of these candidates are supported by The Alaska Center as the most likely to support their anti-fossil fuel agenda.

For more information about the Chugach election, click here or call (907) 563-7494.

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