Building a Pro-Renewable local Electric Co-op
Ratepayers hold the power in our local utility board elections, with members voting for a rotating seat of 7 board members. At FCAC, we support community members to organize around renewable energy issues and to elect board members who reflect their values.
the 2026 GVEA Elections open May 13th
cast your ballot online or by mail before june 9th.
the 2026 GVEA Elections open May 13th cast your ballot online or by mail before june 9th.
ABOUT GVEA ELECTIONs
Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) is a member‑owned cooperative, which means if your name is on an energy bill, you have a voice in shaping their decisions. FCAC’s Renewable Energy Working Group supports co‑op members in using that voice in public meetings and during GVEA’s annual Board of Directors elections. These elections determine who sets priorities for energy investments, reliability, and the pace of our community’s transition to renewable power sources.
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GVEA’s Board of Directors shapes how Interior Alaska produces and uses electricity, from deciding whether we invest in new renewable projects to choosing fuel contracts, planning grid upgrades, and setting long‑term priorities. These choices affect our monthly bills, access to reliable power, and how quickly our community can move toward cleaner, more affordable energy.
Turnout in co‑op elections is often surprisingly low, usually under 15%, meaning a small number of people end up making decisions that affect all of us.
FCAC’s Renewable Energy Working Group works to change that by strengthening community empowerment and advancing energy democracy - the principle that the people who rely on the electric system should guide its direction.
Every spring, GVEA members receive ballots by mail or electronically. Voting is quick and open to every member. When more people participate, the board becomes more reflective of the community it serves. Increasing turnout among members who care about clean energy, fairness, and local decision‑making helps ensure that GVEA’s leadership supports a transition away from fossil‑fuel dependence and toward renewable, locally controlled power.
DATES & EVENTS
MEET THE CANDIDATES!
With the Golden Valley Electric Association’s board of directors elections coming up this May it’s time to start deciding who we want to lead our co-op for the next 3 years. FCAC will be hosting a Meet the Candidates event at Black Spruce on April 11th from 6-8pm. Come by, grab a drink, eat some food and learn who some of your board member candidates are and what they stand for! Candidates will be there to chat and answer questions about energy and their role in GVEA’s future! Food will be provided.
Meet the Candidates for GVEA Board
Saturday, April 11th
6 PM to 8PM
@ Black Spruce Brewing Co, 3290 Peger Rd
JOIN THE VOLUNTEER STREET TEAM!
We are recruiting canvassing volunteers for the GVEA election cycle to help get out the vote and talk to folks about supporting Dave Messier and Phil Wight for District 1 and 2.
CANVASSING TRAINING - APRIL 17TH
With GVEA elections just around the corner, FCAC’s Renewable Energy working group is getting out into the streets of Fairbanks to canvass for our favorite candidates. We’ll be holding a volunteer canvassing training so you can confirdently and safely join our effort! This training is intended to help folks organize around candidate canvassing and is open to everyone. We will touch on canvassing best practices, scripts you can use, and how to utilize the Voter Action Network app to efficiently hit houses! Not sure what GVEA district you’re in? Follow this link to see maps of each district. Your district can also be found on your GVEA account or on your paper bill. Come by, say hi, learn a few things, and bring a friend! Food will be provided.
Canvassing Training
April 18th from 2 PM to 4:30 PM
@ Dena’ Movement Commons, 526 Gaffney Rd.
GVEA ELECTION INFORMATION
2026 Board Elections
Following the 3-year-term election cycle, Districts 1, 2, and 3 are up for election in the spring of 2026.
Election Timeline
May 5 – Annual Members’ Meeting at Carlson Center
May 13 – Director election ballots mailed and online voting opens
June 9 – Deadline for ballots to be returned and online voting closes
June 11 – Ballots are tallied and election results are certified, elected Directors announced
June 23 – Board meeting – acceptance of election results
what’s my district?
Below are maps & decriptions for the three districts who are voting this cycle.
District 1 Map – Includes the railroad industrial area, which includes Well Street and Phillips Field Road south of the Johansen Expressway to the Chena River; Graehl Subdivision to Hamilton Avenue and north of Adak Avenue; heading north out of Fairbanks, the general area west of the Steese Highway, including Fox, Chatanika, Haystack and Elliot Highway; Farmers Loop, Goldstream, Murphy Dome and Sheep Creek Roads; the University of Alaska; College Road and north of Noyes Slough, excluding Lemeta Subdivisions south of College Road.
District 2 Map – Includes Lemeta Subdivision; the general area south of Noyes Slough and north of the Chena River; Doyon Estates; Danby Street; Aurora Subdivision, Geist Road; University West; Chena Ridge; Goldhill Road; Ester; and the Parks Highway south to Mile 343.
District 3 Map – Includes the area south of the Chena Small Tracks and east of Chena Pump to Rosie Creek; the west side of Fairbanks, south of the Chena River, west of Peger Road and south of Airport Way; north of Richardson Highway to Woll Road; and south of the Chena River and Chena Slough over to Nordale Road; and Richardson Highway west of Mile 352.
ENERGY NEWS FROM FCAC
Do you want to learn more about our work with gvea?
Click the link below to learn more about the FCAC Renewable Energy Working Group & get involved with our energy justice work.