In the News

Energy savers flock to Open House, Home Depot

Chugach customers are gung-ho on making their homes more energy efficient, judging from attendance at the Jan. 26 Smart Power Open House and the ENERGY STAR display at Home Depot, Jan. 29. Between the two events, 235 Chugach customers signed the Smart Power Pledge.

By signing the pledge, the customers committed to taking one or more steps toward increased energy efficiency at home. Pledge signers at the Open House received a free Smart Power Strip. At Home Depot, they received a free CFL flood light, courtesy of Home Depot.

At the Open House, customers signed up to borrow watt meters and building energy monitors, and got a peak at Chugach's new Home Energy Analysis tool. The Home Energy Analysis is software developed by Chugach that allows customers to conduct their own home inventory of electric usage. Sign-in here.

It's all part of Smart Power, Chugach Electric's energy efficiency initiative to help you save energy and money.


Anchorage School District - Chugach Electric LED Program

SmartPower promotes education on LEDs
Chugach embarked on a new program with the Anchorage School District at the end of September ending in early November. Chugach staff members have been presenting a 20-minute program on how light is produced, the differences between LED and incandescent light bulbs, measuring electricity and conserving electricity to 4th grade students in the Anchorage School District. A total of 544 students in 22 classes at nine schools are participating in this program which ends in early November.

Read the full article

Participating schools, principals and teachers
Principals and 4th grade teachers in the 30 elementary school in the Chugach Electric service area were asked to participate in the LED program.

Read the full article

Chugach Team LED gets its act together
Chugach staff led by Senior VP Administration, Dave Smith, put together a special team of individuals that were able to connect with students and bring their enthusiasm to "light" for this project.

Read the full article

Teacher Comments
During the project teachers at the participating schools were encouraged to send in e-mails to let Chugach know how they were doing and thoughts they might have about the program. The universal thread was the project was great but next year it should be in November.

Read their comments
Read the results

Contest Results
This was a project that had no losers because we all learned something we didn't know and everyone got LEDs to help conserve electricity for the holidays.

Complete contest results


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Get ready for winter with energy efficiency
Nov. 10 REAP Forum, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anchorage Museum
625 C Street, Anchorage, AK

Learn how Michelle Wilber transformed her 1960 Anchorage fourplex from a 3-star energy hog to a 5-star energy miser, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Anchorage Museum auditorium, 625 C Street. Free. Hosted by REAP (Renewable Alaska Energy Project).

Topics covered will include adding insulation, replacing energy inefficient lighting & appliances, installing low-flow device on faucets, and more.

Call 929-7700 for more information or send e-mail to s.nowers@REalaska.org.

A live podcast will also be available. Register to listen in live at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/116485857

Alaska Energy Authority – Open House
Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 5 to 7 pm
813 West Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage

Celebrate Alaska Energy Awareness Month with the Alaska Energy Authority at its fall Open House. Learn what AEA is doing to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in Alaska.

Hors d'ouevres and punch!

Please RSVP kconway@aidea.org.

October is Alaska Energy Awareness Month
October 12, 2010

On September 30, 2010, Governor Parnell issued a proclamation declaring October, 2010 as Alaska Energy Awareness Month to promote more responsible use of energy and support programs that help Alaskans become more energy efficient. Find tips and resources for what you can do at your home and business at akenergyefficiency.org.



Try paperless billing with Chugach and pocket $5.
September 27, 2010
As part of our continuing efforts to save time, resources and money, Chugach is offering members a $5 credit to switch to paperless billing. It's easy and secure. For even more convenience, use the easy, hassle-free AutoPay by Checking. Choose either or both paperless billing and AutoPay by Checking.
Go to Chugachelectric.com > Customer Service > For Your Home.

Sign up for Paperless Billing

Science Daily reports the U.S. is using less energy and more renewables
August 27, 2010
“…The United States used significantly less coal and petroleum in 2009 than in 2008, and significantly more wind power. There also was a decline in natural gas use and increases in solar, hydro and geothermal power according to the most recent energy flow charts released by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory [LLNL].”
read the full story

CFLs exchange a hit at Spenard Farmers' Market
August 6, 2010

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) donated by Chugach Electric and ML&P were a big hit at the Spenard Farmers' Market, July 31. The 250 CFLs were swapped for burned-out CFLs, which were collected for recycling. The CFL exchange is sponsored by SmartPowerAK, Chugach’s energy efficiency initiative. Chugach will continue to offer CFL recycling at the Spenard Farmer’s Market through the summer season.

Spenard Farmer’s Market is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers.

As always, Chugach members can also drop their burned out CFLs in the recycle bin at 5601 Electron Drive. CFLs for recycling must be in individually sealed plastic bags. Broken CFLs are not accepted.

This is a great program to reduce energy use and carbon footprint by using CFLs and disposing of CFLs in an earth friendly way.

News Stories: Channel 2 KTUU 5pm, Channel 11 KTVA 6pm (12mg)

Energy Policy, Omnibus Energy Bill signed into law
June 21, 2010
Governor Sean Parnell has signed legislation creating a statewide energy policy and an omnibus energy bill designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
read the press release

Governor signs energy bills
June 7, 2010
In an effort to make geothermal power projects economically viable and to produce more affordable and reliable electric power for homes and businesses, Governor Sean Parnell earlier this month signed Senate Bill 243.
read the press release

New Guidelines for ENERGY STAR Homes
May 24, 2010
WASHINGTON — In case you missed it, the Environmental Protection Agency last month announced new more rigorous guidelines for new homes looking to earn the ENERGY STAR. Compared to the prior ENERGY STAR guidelines, the new requirements increase the energy efficiency of qualified homes by more than 10%, making them more than 20% more efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These guidelines will begin to go into effect in January, 2011, although some builders may choose to adopt the new requirements earlier.
read the press release

Home renovators alert: House passes Caulkers bill
By JIM ABRAMS (AP) – May 6, 2010
WASHINGTON — Homeowners could collect thousands of dollars in Cash for Caulkers rebates for renovating their homes with better insulation and energy-saving windows and doors under a new economic stimulus bill the House passed Thursday.
read more

State boosts energy policies and programs
Renewable Energy Alaska Project
A state energy policy, renewable energy and energy efficiency emerged as winners from the 26th Alaska State Legislature, when the session wound up on April 10.
read more

DOE Announces New Opportunities to Improve Commercial Building Energy Efficiency
April 21, 2010
U.S. Department of Energy - The Alaska Sustainable Energy Act (SB 220) establishes several new programs and modifies or streamlines a handful of existing ones. The House Omnibus Energy Bill (HB 306) establishes Alaska's first-ever energy policy, supports energy efficiency and conservation and sets goals for renewable energy.
read more