In 2023, GVEA applied for a significant funding program offered through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) called the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program or “PACE.” Through the PACE Program, GVEA is seeking a $100M RUS loan and 60% loan forgiveness for:
- The construction and interconnection of a 46-megawatt (MW) / 92 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The BESS will consist of lithium-ion batteries that will interconnect at GVEA’s existing Wilson substation;
- Substation upgrades to GVEA’s Nenana Substation to interconnect new renewable power to GVEA’s system through the execution of a 16 MW solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under which GVEA would purchase all outputs from a solar array to be constructed in Nenana, Alaska by Nenana Solar Farm, LLC (Nenana Solar Farm); and,
- A half-mile long 24.9kV Express Distribution Circuit to interconnect the Nenana Solar Farm to the Nenana Substation.
Together, these projects constitute GVEA’s Portfolio of Actions. The projects’ purpose and need are to reduce costs, improve system reliability and increase generation diversity within GVEA’s service territory. The BESS as proposed would provide regulation for the new 16 MW Nenana Solar Farm and GVEA’s existing 25 MW Eva Creek Wind Farm. The BESS will also provide overall system support for outage response, spinning reserve and other dispatching functions. The Nenana Solar Farm will have set known pricing and allow GVEA to increase the percentage of renewable generation provided to our members. Overall, the project will allow for a reduction in cost to members through the reduction in fuel currently used to regulate GVEA’s variable energy sources.
PACE Community Benefit Plan
The Portfolio of Actions listed above creates intrinsic cost- and carbon-reducing benefits to the communities GVEA serves. GVEA’s Community Benefit Plan (CBP), as required by the PACE Program, will extend these benefits to the many communities GVEA interacts with beyond the production and consumption of power and will also provide community benefits beyond the project scope. It will offer community benefits to fortify the American workforce in Interior Alaska, promote energy efficiency and carbon reduction, integrate clean energy into traditional agriculture, and increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through a transformative clean energy economy. For a detailed account of all benefits related to GVEA’s PACE projects, click the button below.
The areas of additional benefits are summarized below.
Investments in the Workforce
To diversify and fortify the American workforce in Interior Alaska, GVEA’s project offers short- and long-term job creation in the clean energy market, training, and worker retention strategies. GVEA is one of the largest employers in Interior Alaska and our power generation, transmission and distribution operations, and maintenance jobs are not only continuous and stable but performed under collective bargaining agreements with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). These jobs secure and enable the backbone of this area’s economy by providing power to our mining and tourism industries.
To learn more about how the PACE project and GVEA’s CBP will increase local job creation and long-term maintenance jobs, our efforts to increase training and recruitment for Interior Alaska youth, how GVEA is committed to protecting workers’ rights and paying fair, equitable wages as well as new scholarships that will be offered, click the Community Benefit Plan link above.
Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction
GVEA will offer energy efficiency programs that support energy resilience and increase energy equity in partnership with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC). These classes and workshops, available virtually and in-person, will cover important energy efficiency topics to benefit and educate the public.
Additionally, GVEA will offer On-bill Financing and Community Solar programs. Through these initiatives, GVEA will increase equitable access for members to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and beneficial electrification projects to reduce overall energy consumption.
To learn more about GVEA’s efforts to increase energy efficiency education and carbon reduction among Interior Alaska residents, as well as our upcoming On-Bill Financing and Community Solar programs, click the Community Benefit Plan link above.
Land Use and Agricultural Integration
The integration of clean energy projects into traditional farming practices and land use will provide economic benefits to the community.
To learn more about these benefits, including the expansion of GVEA’s service territory and the evaluation for an addition of an agricultural seasonal rate, click the Community Benefits Plan link above.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
GVEA’s service territory is home to 40 federally recognized Native tribes, 4 military installations with a large veteran population, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where students attend from around the world. GVEA’s service territory meets the 60% tribal land requirements criteria with nearly all of GVEA’s service territory falling within Doyon’s Interior Region. GVEA’s workforce initiative is focused on increasing diversity in the workforce for four interest groups: women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
To learn more about GVEA’s DEIA efforts, click the Community Benefits Plan link above.
Public Feedback on GVEA’s PACE Project and Community Benefit Plan
GVEA is requesting feedback from the public on the proposed PACE Project and associated Community Benefit Plan. Members of the public are welcomed to GVEA’s board of directors meeting on May 28, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to give comments. Additionally, comments can be provided by completing and submitting the short form below.
NOTICE: The PACE feedback form is temporarily disabled. We apologize for this inconvenience.
GVEA is committed to continuing to seek member and community feedback following receipt of any PACE award to review additional community benefits that may be achieved. These continued efforts will include opportunities to comment monthly, either in person or virtually at GVEA’s Board of Director’s meetings, to submit comments and feedback via social medial or GVEA’s website, and continued meetings and coordination with key stakeholders, including various agricultural farms within our service territory. GVEA will continue to post updated PACE information and community involvement opportunities to this page as additional information becomes available.