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Description Of Business
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Description Of Business [Abstract]  
Description Of Business

2.      DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Chugach Electric Association, Inc. (Chugach) is the largest electric utility in Alaska.  Chugach is engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to directly serve retail customers in the Anchorage and upper Kenai Peninsula areas.  Through an interconnected regional electrical system, Chugach's power flows throughout Alaska's Railbelt, a 400-mile-long area stretching from the coastline of the southern Kenai Peninsula to the interior of the state, including Alaska's largest cities, Anchorage and Fairbanks.

 

Chugach also supplies much of the power requirements of two wholesale customers, Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA) and the City of Seward (Seward or SES).  Chugach provided much of the power requirements of Homer Electric Association, Inc. (HEA) through their contract expiration date of December 31, 2013Chugach sells available generation in excess of its own needs to produce electric energy for sale to Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc. (GVEA).  In addition, on a periodic basis, Chugach provides electricity to Anchorage Municipal Light & Power (ML&P).  Chugach’s retail and wholesale members are the consumers of the electricity sold.

 

Chugach was organized as an Alaska electric cooperative in 1948 and operates on a not‑for‑profit basis and, accordingly, seeks only to generate revenues sufficient to pay operating and maintenance costs, the cost of purchased power, capital expenditures, depreciation, and principal and interest on all indebtedness and to provide for reserves.  Chugach is subject to the regulatory authority of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA).

 

Chugach has three Collective Bargaining Unit Agreements (CBA) with the IBEW, representing approximately 70 percent of its workforce.  Chugach also has an agreement with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE). All three IBEW CBA’s have been renewed through June 30, 2017.  The three CBA’s provide for wage increases in all years and include health and welfare premium cost sharing provisions.  The HERE contract has been renewed through June 30, 2016.  This contract provides for wage increases in all years.