Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

Did You Know..?

AVEC service area is the largest in the world for a cooperative. We serve 53 villages stretching from Kivalina in the north to Old Harbor on Kodiak Island in the south, and from Gambell on St. Lawrence Island in the west to Minto in the east.

Minto is the only AVEC community accessible by road. All other AVEC communities are accessible by airplane or marine vessel only.

AVEC began in 1968. Over 35 years ago, we started providing electric service to the residents of Nulato, Hooper Bay, and Old Harbor.

Our members come from many different cultures—including Athabascan, Aleut, Inupiat, Yupik, Siberian Yupik, and Caucasian. Although the majority of the members have command of two languages, there are still many who speak only in their Native dialect.

A stable power source enhances our lives. Although electric power in rural communities remains expensive, stable electric service has brought about positive improvements in health care, housing, schools, water and sewer systems, communications and helped economic growth.

AVEC is a private organization. We’re financed by loans from the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC and financial assistance received from the federally-funded Denali Commission.

Every village has a say in how AVEC operates. Each village elects a delegate to represent their community at the Annual Cooperative Meeting held each March in Anchorage.

AVEC and the local governments operate as a partnership. The village governments hire the plant operators and oversee the day-to-day operation of the power generating and distribution plants.

Permafrost is a powerful design influence. Because of active permafrost that breaks buried cables, the majority of AVEC's distribution systems are overhead.

We use more than 150 diesel generators. These produce electric power for our member villages, running a cumulative total of more than 400,000 hours per year. That is equal to nearly 950 trips by diesel truck around the world each year, or about 23 million road miles!

AVEC purchases five million gallons of fuel annually. The fuel is stored in bulk fuel tank farm facilities, many of which are being upgraded or completely rebuilt with money received from the Denali Commission.

AVEC is upgrading. We’re currently upgrading and increasing the operating efficiency of our power plant facilities and distribution lines, one community at a time.

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Frequently Asked Questions For Member Services

Q. Why didn’t my payment show on my bill?

A. As a general rule, if you mailed your payment after the 12th of the month we will not receive it in time to post it to your account prior to the next billing cycle being printed and mailed.

Q. Why did I get a disconnect notice when I sent a payment?

A. Often times if you sent a payment then receive a disconnect letter a few days, or even a week later, the likelihood is that your payment and the disconnect letter crossed in the mail.

Q. Would you explain my bill?

A. Your bill is made of many different parts (depending on the type of service):

• kWh Charge – which is assessed to everyone according to their usage.
• Fuel Charge – the actual cost to bring the fuel to each village Customer Charge - $5.00 flat fee per service per month.
• PCE deduction – many residential services, and some community facility services, are eligible for the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) deduction, which will reduce the per kWh charge up to 500 kWh each month.
• Sales Tax – some villages assess city sales tax to electrical usage.
• Demand Charge – if a service is billed on a demand meter there will be a demand charge assessed (charge derived by the highest draw from the generator during a 15 minute interval throughout the month).
• Late Fee – if charges are 60 days past due a late fee will be added to the total until the balance due is no longer delinquent.

Q. Why can’t you send the collector out after the Permanent Fund Dividend is available?

A. AVEC services 53 villages and due to scheduling constraints and extreme weather conditions, it is best to conduct collection proceedings and any needed disconnections during the summer, when transportation and weather delays are less severe.

Q. Why is my bill so high?

A. There may be a lot of factors that point to a higher than usual bill. Here are some of the most common things that can cause a bill to be higher than your previous bill:

• Make sure that your last payment has been received and shows on your billing statement. If you mail your payment after the 12th of the month, it may not have been received when the statement was printed.
• Electrical heating devices use a lot of energy. Small electric heaters can use over 1000 kWh per month if used continuously. (That could increase your bill by as much as $500!) Other appliances that use a lot of electricity include electric hot water heaters, electric ovens and some power tools.

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Job Opportunities

There are many benefits to joining the AVEC team. We offer great benefit packages, advancement opportunities and, for our field employees, the chance to travel to a variety of villages throughout Western and Interior Alaska.

Job Opening: Maintenance Technician II

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. is accepting applications for Maintenance Technician II.

This position requires Journeyman level Diesel Mechanic and/or Power Generation skills. Must have four years Journeyman level or applicable Military experience. Formal OEM or Vocational training required. Electrical/control panel experience helpful, with understanding of AC/DC electrical theory. Must possess the ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics and prints.

This position requires extensive travel in Alaska bush villages. Only qualified persons need apply. A standard pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and post-offer physical is required.

Please view a full job description for further details. Maintenance Technician II (PDF format).

A completed company application is required and may be submitted to applications@avec.org or mailed to:

Human Resources Department Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. 4831 Eagle St. Anchorage Alaska 99503

An application can be downloaded from this web site or you may call 561-1818. Position open until filled. Interviews by appointment only. EOE

Inquiries ONLY regarding this position may be sent to operations@avec.org. Applications sent to this address will not be accepted.

Download an Application

• Application (Word 2000 format)
• Application (Word 6 format)
• Application (Word 97 format)
• Application (PDF Format - Acrobat Reader required)
• Click here to download Adobe's free Acrobat Reader

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Scholarship Programs

Educational Scholarships

The AVEC Scholarship Committee awards up to 20 $1,000 vocational, technical and academic scholarships each new school year. The program was changed and for the first time, scholarships may also be awarded throughout the year to students attending schools that start at different times of the year. For students that graduate in May and start school in the fall, applications are due April 15 of each year. Click here for the Educational Scholarship Application. Contact the Member Services Manager for more information about this program and the application process.

Youth Rally Scholarships

The Idaho Youth Rally is a one-week rural electric leadership program held every July that teaches students about the electric utility industry. In addition to learning about potential careers and how utilities operate, students gain valuable teamwork and leadership skills and get to participate in fun activities such as dances, trips to a water park and roller skating rink.

Every year, AVEC awards two scholarships to high school sophomores or juniors to attend the Youth Rally. The scholarships pay for all food, travel and lodging expenses.

Interested? All Youth Rally applicants must submit a 400-word essay and completed Youth Rally Application form. Click here to download a brochure and application.

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