CEA Candidate Questions: Shaina Kilcoyne

Voting in Chugach Electric Association’s board election will open on April 19. Electronic ballots are due by 3 p.m. on May 19. Paper ballots must be received by May 18. Members can also vote in person at the CEA Annual Meeting held at Changepoint Alaska on May 19 at 6 p.m. More information on voting and candidates can be found on the CEA Election page.

Here are the answers from Shaina Kilcoyne. She is Energy and Climate Program Director for the Alaska Venture Fund, and previously was the Energy and Sustainability Manager for Anchorage’s Solid Waste Services. Her full candidate profile can be found here.

Shaina Kilcoyne, from her CEA candidate profile

1. Why do you want to serve on CEA’s Board?

I have been dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy issues in Alaska for over ten years and believe I can offer my expertise and problem-solving skills to developing a reliable and sustainable path for ratepayers. I’m interested in learning more about the challenges and opportunities to integrate more renewable energy, advanced rate structures, smart metering, and on-bill financing. I think we can continue to improve upon energy efficiency opportunities and grid optimization, which would further allow for decarbonization opportunities. With an influx of federal funding, now is the time for clear commitment and leadership on responsible energy diversity. Chugach has an experienced and dedicated workforce. If elected, I would work to support and guide them as best as I can to complete the task in front of us.

Lastly, I would like to continue to improve upon accessibility and transparency in order to engage residents. A cooperative is stronger with the input of its members.

2. Are there any particular policies you would champion as a member of the Board? Are there any current or proposed policies you would oppose?

I support policies that are more in touch with our needs. With Cook Inlet gas supplies dwindling, we could be importing gas within a few short years. This challenge coincides with the once in a generation funding opportunity we have in front of us to integrate reliable, affordable and local renewable energy sources. We’ve been fortunate to have abundant natural gas, but this is the time to capitalize on new renewable and reliable energy resources.

As noted above, I’m interested in exploring more advanced policies and structures such as on-bill financing to support energy efficiency as well as electric vehicles and beneficial electrification strategies. An upcoming tariff filling offers the opportunity to create strategic pathways to offering energy services to customers, such as time of use rates: charging an electric vehicle at night when energy demand is low, can support a more stable grid while demand for electric vehicles grows. I am interested in continuing the path to community solar to allow more residents to benefit from solar power.

3. What are the biggest challenges CEA will face in the next five to ten years? What can be done to prepare to meet them?

The decline in Cook Inlet gas is the biggest issue we will face in the next five to ten years. We will need to import gas, but should not be complacent in that path. Considering the once in a generation funding opportunity over the next decade through recent federal policy, we can more ambitiously pursue diversified energy sources for long-term rate stability and reliability. 

To do this the board will need to provide clear direction. In my experience, Chugach has very talented staff. I’d like to learn more about the culture and capacity to ensure they have the resources to meet this opportunity. 

Finally, I’d like to see continued and expanded collaboration among railbelt utilities in the interest of all members on the grid. I appreciate the coordinated approach to federal grid resiliency funding and would seek to foster these relationships. 

4. In 2022 CEA’s Board spent over 60% of their regular public board meetings in Executive Session. While Executive Sessions are sometimes necessary, their extensive use excludes member-owners from significant discussions of issues such as strategic planning and sources of power generation. Do you believe that cooperative boards have an obligation to their member-owners to maximize the openness and transparency of their decision making? Should CEA’s Board minimize its use of Executive Session? What could be done to achieve this goal?

I feel that executive sessions are overused. Executive session should only be used per Alaska Statute 10.25.175(c)(1) through (4), in matters that would have adverse effect on the finances or legal position of the cooperative or reputation of a person and personnel matters. Currently it appears to be used broadly. 

I believe that we are better off when our members can access information, ask hard questions and offer their input. As a board member, I would work to open discussions and decisions to the extent legally possible. A cooperative’s members should have a say in their energy future, and that requires having access to information. 

5. Hilcorp has said that it cannot guarantee natural gas supplies from Cook Inlet beyond its current contracts (CEA’s contract with Hilcorp ends in 2028). Production for CEA’s Beluga River Unit is currently expected to end in 2033. What strategies should CEA use to address potential future shortfalls in Cook Inlet natural gas?

We don’t have a lot of local natural gas options at our disposal. Chugach and Enstar are exploring opportunities to import liquid natural gas, which will cost ratepayers more. However, Cook Inlet does have abundant renewable energy potential. The Railbelt utilities are working together and seeking federal funding to improve grid resilience and storage in order to integrate more renewable energy. I have a lot to learn about integrating variable renewable energy, but I will work hard to responsibly diversify our resources with local, reliable, affordable sources like wind, solar and hydropower. By collaborating to improve our transmission grid, we can continue to bring on more renewable energy to delay the import of gas or save our gas resources for heating needs, which is much harder to transition to other energy sources. 

The cost of renewables has dropped dramatically over the last ten years, while the cost of our gas has increased. With unprecedented federal funding for storage and renewable energy, we have a unique opportunity to affordably provide reliable energy for decades to come. 

6. In recent years many have argued that there needs to be greater collaboration among the Railbelt utilities, leading to the creation of the Railbelt Reliability Council (RRC) in 2022. Do you believe that utility Board Directors have a role in fostering greater collaboration and integration among Railbelt utilities, or should they defer to staff on these questions? What can board members do to facilitate greater cooperation?

Yes, I believe that the Board of Directors can foster greater collaboration and integration among Railbelt utilities. While much of the work will be completed by staff, the Board should provide leadership and direction to encourage transparent and positive collaboration with the RRC. The RRC will soon be leading an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which will help guide the direction of our energy future. Early and open coordination is especially important as crucial decisions will be made before the IRP even begins, which will determine what options we have as a whole. I hope the board can support a process that builds trust for the benefit of all ratepayers.  

7. The Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) proposal introduced last year by Governor Dunleavy was recently reintroduced in the Alaska Legislature (HB 121 and SB 101). This bill would require utilities to reach 80% renewable power generation by 2040 with intermediate targets along the way. Last year the Railbelt utilities supported amendments that pushed back the milestones and changed the RPS into Clean Energy Standards (CES) that included nuclear power and gas generation technologies (waste heat recovery) that the utilities already have in place. Do you support either the RPS or CES? If so, which do you believe would better serve Alaskans? What role should the Board have in advocacy for either?

I believe that all Railbelt utilities and ratepayers will benefit from an energy standard. This policy makes it easier to work with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to bring on alternative energy resources and reduce our dependence on dwindling Cook Inlet gas. I’m not opposed to including nuclear energy, which is not a renewable resource, within a standard. I think it’s crucial that our policy has the intention of bringing on more reliable, proven renewable energy as soon as possible, such as wind, solar and hydropower. A strong energy standard will allow and encourage a diverse energy mix to improve our long-term energy security. Waste heat recovery is standard practice for efficient operations and should be continued, but I don’t believe this technology needs to be included in this policy.  

8. How do you think CEA can best take advantage of the many federal infrastructure incentives and grants created under programs such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?

I think we can best take advantage of the new federal grid, storage and renewable energy infrastructure through clear vision and direction and strong coordination with the other Railbelt utilities. The staff at Chugach is already closely reviewing these opportunities. While there are huge opportunities for transmission and generation projects, there are also new programs that can benefit low and moderate income residents, such as energy efficiency programs aimed at lowering energy use and costs. A coordinated and consistent direction among the utilities is our best strategy to access these funds.