Golden Valley Electric Association
SNAP graphic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SNAP?

SNAP stands for Sustainable Natural Alternative Power. Golden Valley Electric Association is supporting members to become SNAP producers by connecting renewable power generators, such as solar panels and wind turbines, to GVEA's electrical distribution system.

SNAP is not for members who want to install renewable energy sources for back-up power generation at their home or business.

SNAP will not affect members who choose not to participate in the program.

I'm being asked to voluntarily increase my monthly payments if I contribute to SNAP. So what's in it for me?

Your contribution supports development of alternative energy resources in Interior Alaska. You become an important part of developing sustainable, natural power. Your contribution goes directly to the producers of the alternative energy. GVEA does not retain any of the funds designated by members for SNAP.

Your support of SNAP is a vote for green power.

You're asking me to contribute between $2 and $25 a month. What does that money get used for?

Green power can't happen without you. Your financial support is a contribution to the cost of generating renewable energy by local SNAP producers.

The producers of renewable power do not keep any of the power they produce. The power they produce is measured separately from their existing home or business energy use by a separate meter.

The power generated by these renewable energy sources goes directly into GVEA's electrical grid and is distributed to homes in our service area.

Your contribution essentially is a purchase of the power generated at these sources.

Your financial support also encourages more members to become producers. If the SNAP fund is great enough, potential producers will see that there is a market for the power they can produce and they will install new generating systems.

Are other utilities in Alaska offering programs like SNAP?

Not at this time. SNAP is unique in that 100 percent of the renewable power comes from local producers. GVEA's SNAP program is modeled after Chelan County Public Utility District's award winning SNAP program. Chelan Country is located in central Washington.

Will the SNAP raise my rates?

No. SNAP producers and purchasers participate on a strictly voluntary basis. SNAP producers are paid out of funds donated by those who choose to participate as purchasers. SNAP won't have an impact on the rates of members who do not wish to participate.

How will GVEA decide if SNAP is successful? I'd like to know whether my contribution is doing any good.

GVEA's initial goal is to have three to four percent of members participate as purchasers. Hopefully participation will continue to grow. While this may not seem like much, it would qualify as one of the best alternative energy participation rates in the United States.

The other goal is to have producers generating green power for the purchasers. If we are able to create a balance of purchasers and producers, then we will consider the program a success.