EnergyFairbanks · September 8, 2026
11 dollars off your power bill
A used generator could knock about $11 off the average Golden Valley power bill, and it costs $80 million to find out.
Daily Alaska staff · September 8, 2026 · Fairbanks
The Golden Valley Electric Association board of directors voted 4 to 3 to continue studying the purchase of a used 60 megawatt LM6000 turbine generator, an $80 million project, for installation at the co-op's North Pole Expansion plant in North Pole, Alaska, next to an existing older LM6000 unit. The vote followed roughly two hours of board debate.
The co-op's projection shows the purchase would lower the average residential member's monthly power bill by close to $11, spread over a 30-year repayment period. That long payback window is what drove the three dissenting votes.
The generator would run on naphtha, a liquid fuel refined from petroleum. It would be a used unit rather than new equipment.
Board members Rick Solie, Brad Swope, Krista Zappone and John Sloan voted in favor of continuing the study. Board chair Dave Messier, along with Gary Newman and Phil Wight, voted against. Messier said it is a very large strategic generation purchase for a utility and that the board wants to make sure it has turned over every stone before committing.
No purchase has been made. The board is scheduled to take up the question again at next month's meeting. GVEA members across Fairbanks, North Pole, Delta Junction and the Interior would be affected by whichever way the board ultimately decides.
In this story
Questions people ask
where would the golden valley electric generator go
At the North Pole Expansion plant, next to an existing older turbine, running on naphtha to help power the co-op's system.
how much would my power bill drop if gvea buys the generator
Close to $11 a month for a residential member, spread over a 30-year repayment period if the co-op moves forward with the $80 million purchase.
how did the gvea board vote on the new generator
Four to three in favor of continuing to study the purchase. Rick Solie, Brad Swope, Krista Zappone and John Sloan voted yes; Dave Messier, Gary Newman and Phil Wight voted no.
when will gvea decide on buying the generator
Nothing has been purchased yet. The board is scheduled to take up the question again at next month's meeting.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- GVEA's board voted 4 to 3 to continue studying the purchase of a used 60 megawatt LM6000 turbine generator. · newsminer.com
- The project is valued at $80 million. · newsminer.com
- The projected bill reduction is close to $11 a month over a 30-year repayment period. · newsminer.com
- Board chair Dave Messier said the purchase is a very large strategic generation purchase for a utility. · newsminer.com
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