HEA Candidate Questions: Dr. Douglas Stark
Voting in the board election at Homer Electric Association began on April 4. Ballots must be received by HEA by 5 p.m. May 3 in order to be counted. If HEA holds its Annual Meeting in person, members who did not vote by mail will have an opportunity to vote there. But since the decision on whether or not to hold an in-person meeting has still not been made, HEA is urging its members to vote by mail. HEA members can only vote in the race for their district. For more information on the election, including a map of HEA’s board districts, see https://www.homerelectric.com/my-cooperative/board-of-directors/elections/
Here are the answers to AETP’s questions from Dr. Douglas Stark. Dr. Stark, who lives in Homer, is a candidate in HEA’s District 3. Dr. Stark has a lengthy resume, that includes serving as municipal administrator in several cities as well as heading his own engineering firm. He has served on numerous boards, including the Board of Chugach Electric Association and the Boards of the Alaska and Anchorage Chambers of Commerce, He has also served as a member of the Homer City Council. His full resume and personal statement can be found on the HEA Election site.
Dr. Douglas Stark, from his HEA candidate profile.
1. Why do you want to be a HEA Board member?
I want to be an HEA Board member for both short and long-range goals: Short range-no rate increase, long range-provide planning and implementation of hydro projects with increased generation capabilities and improve transmission assets including reliability. Additional battery energy storage is needed from Fairbanks to Homer. The way forward is through better coordination and enforceable cooperation.
2. Are there any particular projects or ideas you would champion as an HEA Board member? Are there any you would oppose?
Projects needed are joint utility planning of generation assets, transmission line assets, and especially the rules for interoperability. Even at the household neighborhood level, folks enthusiastically installed solar panels but today say it was a mistake for it has cost them money and not saved money because of perceived changes in reimbursement.
3. If you are elected, you would serve a three year term, and be eligible to serve up to three terms. What challenges and opportunities do you believe HEA will face in the next 3 years? What about in the nine years?
Yes, I would serve a full term. Within 3 years, the planning should be done and within nine years, implementation should be well underway.
4. Do you support the passage and implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standards legislation (HB 301 and SB 179) proposed by Governor Dunleavy? Why or why not? If the bill passes, what would you do as an HEA Board member to help the cooperative prepare to meet the RPS goals?
Yes, I support the Renewable Portfolio Standards legislation because purely voluntary means without standardization and enforcement has not reached the level of renewable use envisioned. Other states have also had to enact portfolio standards and electric reliability organizations to make them work.
5. The proposal for the creation of the Railbelt Reliability Council (RRC) was submitted to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska at the end of March. What potential problems or opportunities will participating in the RRC create for HEA?
The Railbelt Reliability Council can help increase the Railbelt’s meagre 15% use of renewables by standardizing interconnection standards and transmission protocols. Homer’s Bradley Lake with its additional Diversion enhancements can help the whole Railbelt but the transmission capability presently can’t handle any addition. Other hydro programs north of Homer need to be evaluated for cost-effectiveness. Load balancing within then Railbelt would more efficiently use its assets.
6. Does HEA have a fair and equitable system for buying power from members who generate it themselves (such as those with home solar systems)? If not, how could it be improved?
The system for buying power from members is not well understood even if deemed fair in the past. Perception and education is key along with making renewables a “win-win” situation for all.
