Serving on the MEA Board of Directors for the past three years has been an honor. Throughout my tenure, we have navigated unprecedented weather events, rising inflationary costs, and increasing political pressures to transition to more renewable energy. Despite these challenges, MEA remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power.

MEA has made significant strides in strengthening our energy future, including the completion of a 40-megawatt battery storage systemin partnership with Chugach Electric, reducing natural gas usage by 5%. We’ve also supported the development of Houston’s operating solar farm, expanding the secondary transmission line from the Bradley Lake hydro project, and implemented time-of-use rates and data collection for our EV users.

However, challenges remain. Inflationary costs continue to impact operations, infrastructure, and fuel. The looming shortage of Cook Inlet natural gas adds uncertainty, requiring MEA to explore long-term energy independence and short-term solutions, like imported natural gas. Meanwhile, efforts to shift to more renewable energy sources require careful consideration to balance affordability, reliability, and sustainability for our members. We want to diversify without sacrificing what is most important to you: having reliable and accessible power.

I remain dedicated to advocating for practical, responsible energy solutions and would be honored to continue serving you. I appreciate your vote.

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I am a lifelong Alaskan, husband, father of three, farmer,and business owner in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. Growing up in Anchorageand the Valley in the 1970s and ’80s, I developed a deep appreciation for ourstate’s unique opportunities and challenges. In 2001, I moved to Palmer tostart a family and build a career dedicated to feeding the people of Alaska.

My wife, Michelle VanderWeele, grew up in Palmer on herfamily’s farm, and our three children have had the unique experience of growingup on a commercial farm, attending the same schools as their mother, and evenlearning from some of her former teachers. Two of my children are currentlyattending college out of state, and my hope is that they can return home tosuccessful careers, affordable living, and a high quality of life.

Professionally, I served as Alaska’s State Director ofAgriculture from 2016 to 2019 and have held leadership roles in multipleorganizations, including President of the Mat-Su Farm Bureau, the Alaska FarmBureau, Alaska Farmland Trust, Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District, andUSDA Farm Service Agency State Committee Chairman. Through these roles, I haveworked tirelessly to support Alaska agriculture and strengthen our communities.

The Mat-Su Valley is one of the best places in the countryto raise a family, build a business, and enjoy a great lifestyle. I want toensure our region remains a place where future generations can thrive. As anMEA Board Director, I am committed to continuing MEA’s mission of providingaffordable, reliable power that is essential to our quality of life and futureprosperity. I have greatly enjoyed learning, listening, and serving on ourcoop’s board of directors for the past three years. I would be honored tocontinue this work and sincerely appreciate your vote and support.

Thank you,
Arthur Keyes

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This candidate withdrew from the race after ballots and election materials were printed.

This candidate withdrew from the race after ballots and election materials were printed.

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This candidate withdrew from the race after ballots and election materials were printed.

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This candidate withdrew from the race after ballots and election materials were printed.

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As a rate payer with MEA for several decades, I am concerned about future rate increases and the quality of infrastructure as the Valley is predicted to have continued growth equivalent to what we have been seeing. I believe that my experience with building and growing my own business along with the infrastructure expansion that I have helped facilitate for the school district in partnership with the borough and at limited expense to the taxpayer has given me the ability to help find creative solutions to complex issues. I believe that all options have a place at the table be it natural gas, coal, solar or wind for consideration, review, and discussion. The combination which brings the greatest longterm benefit to the Matanuska Electric Association rate payer is what we must strive to attain. As we move forward in the complex regulatory environment that we live, I believe that we will be forced to think beyond the proverbial box to provide the best options for the rate payer. I believe that the experience that I have demonstrated through school district improvements can be applied to bringing a stable long-term rate and power structure to the Mat-Su Valley.

After several attempts, my family permanently arrived in Alaska in 1975.I was raised in the Copper River Basin where I spent countless hours and days exploring from the Wrangel Mountains to the Alaska range hunting, trapping and fishing with my family. I attended Gakona Elementary, a two-room school, and then Glennallen High School where I graduated in 1985. Working at a small construction company in Glennallen, I earned the funds needed to pay my way through college. I received my bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Army the same year. After serving 3 years on active duty mostly in Germany, I returned to Alaska in 1992, settling in Palmer with my family. From my Valley base, I worked throughout the state in many roles as an Alaska Army National Guard member, education professional and held multiple staff roles during my tenure at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Also, during this time, I earned a second bachelor's degree and my master's degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. For several years, I owned and operated a small excavation business in the valley. I have served on my local community council during the development of the Knik River Public Use Area. I am currently serving the valley as a member of both the state and borough agricultural boards, and I serve on the State Seismic Commission. Additionally, I currently serve on the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District School Board and have for the past 7 years. Presently, I am a farmer, farming in the Mat-Su Valley since 2010.

This is a pivotal moment for our cooperative. With 85% of our power reliant on natural gas and gas purchases being the largest expense for our member-owners, the stakes couldn’t be higher. MEA’s gas supply contract ends in 2028, and all future gas options indicate our members could face steep price hikes. My board experience and background in energy diversification helps provide important perspective as the board confronts this critical challenge.

MEA is charged with safely providing reliable and affordable electricity. The board must carefully analyze solutions that allow for near-term certainty with long-term flexibility to meet that mission. To keep member costs low we need to develop rational short-, medium- and long-term strategies to reduce our dependence on natural gas. These strategies include conserving our gas supply through efficiency actions, carefully evaluating our supply options (with an eye toward reducing purchased fuel costs), and continuing to work with independent power providers developing renewable energy projects –solar wind, hydro, geothermal - that make economic sense for our members.

The board’s job is to represent current and future member-owners, ensure the financial health of the organization and help shape important decisions that impact YOU. I’d appreciate your continued support!

As a young biologist I came to Alaska in 1981; after working in western and northern Alaska a job with Alaska Department of Fish and Game brought me to Palmer in 1990. For the past 20 years my work has been related to building science, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. After 10 years as faculty/program head in Sustainable Energy programs for UAA and UAF I’m now mostly retired, except for a UAF wind-to-heat research project in Kotzebue. In my work I have learned from electric utility managers, energy project developers, community leaders and state and federal policymakers. I have been active in our community, serving on the borough’s Energy Policy Review Commission, the borough Planning Commission, and on my community council.

Since being elected to the MEA board in 2017 I’ve learned about the many issues and opportunities facing MEA – working with other Railbelt utilities, system upgrades to improve reliability, challenges related to the Valley’s growth, integrating renewable energy, and the constant challenge to keep rates affordable. I have seen our cooperative go from having a secure long-term natural gas supply contract to facing a very serious Cook Inlet gas supply crisis with no impending supply contract.

I have learned how diversifying our supply options helps keep rates as low as possible for our co-op member-owners. Surveys show more than 70% of our member-owners want a larger share of our power to come from renewable sources: I was instrumental in establishing the current MEA goal of 50% clean energy by 2050. This is one step we can take to help reduce dependence on increasingly-expensive natural gas. Taking deliberate, economical actions to reduce our dependence on gas benefits our member-owners in the near and long term. (Kodiak Electric, also facing very high fuel costs, successfully transitioned to 99% renewable generation.)

I believe our board has a done a good job working together to ensure the fiscal health of the cooperative while keeping electric rates as low as possible. My experience in community service and energy issues around the state will continue to ensure good discussion as our board considers the numerous issues facing the cooperative.

When not thinking about electric rates and reliability I enjoy hunting, hockey, skating, biking and home construction projects. I met my partner Judy here in Alaska; she’s a veterinarian at a local clinic and we share our home with several rescue pets.

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