Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

A non-profit electric utility with the largest retail service area in the world.

Did You Know..?

AVEC service area is the largest in the world for a retail 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

AVEC has an immediate opening for a Maintenance Technician II. This position requires Journeyman level Diesel Mechanic and/or Power Generation skills. Four (4) years of Journeyman Level experience required. Formal OEM or vocational training is also required. Electrical/Control Panel experience and AC/DC electrical theory are a plus. Must have the ability to read/interpret electrical and mechanical schematics and prints. This position requires extensive travel in remote Alaskan villages. Candidates must be willing and able to fly in small aircraft, travel by boat, snow machine and/or ATV. Essential job duties include the ability to lift/lower up to 70 pounds frequently and the ability to push, pull and manipulate several hundred pounds of cargo. Standard pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, background check as well as a post offer physical are required. AVEC provides a stellar benefit package and a competitive salary. Interested applicants must submit a completed application to AVEC, 4831 Eagle Street, Anchorage, AK 99503-7497. An application may be obtained by calling (907) 561-1818 or downloaded from www.avec.org. Resume and cover letter may be attached to the AVEC application, but are not required. Interested candidates will not be considered without a completed application. This position is open until filled. AVEC is an EOE.

Job Opening: Electrical Engineer

AVEC has an immediate opening for an Electrical Engineer. Minimum qualifications include technical competence in electrical engineering, four (4) year college degree in Electrical Engineering, plus two years of related electric utility experience. Experience with AutoCAD is also desired. Must have the ability to function efficiently with minimal supervision and exhibit excellent thoroughness and exactness regarding work product and professionalism. Standard pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and background check are required. AVEC provides a stellar benefit package and a competitive salary. Interested applicants must submit a completed application to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, 4831 Eagle Street, Anchorage, AK 99503. An application may be obtained by calling (907) 561-1818 or downloaded from www.avec.org. Applications due by May 4th, 2009. EOE.

Work Order Accounting Clerk

AVEC has an immediate opening for a Work Order Accounting Clerk. Minimum qualifications include High School Diploma, or equivalent, plus two (2) years of directly related clerical experience specific to work order record keeping and/or general accounting. Must have excellent working skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and possess outstanding oral, written and analytical skills. Position Summary: Assists with file management and maintenance of work order and Denali Commission charges, credits, and transactions; assists with associated record keeping and reporting for Denali Commission and work order charges; updates files and filing systems; maintains detailed records for assigned general ledger accounts and property; assists with daily mail sorting, cash batches, and similar accounting functions; assists Senior Accountant in additional Denali Commission duties as needed. AVEC offers competitive wages as well as a stellar benefits package. Standard background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screenings are also required. Interested candidates must submit a completed application in order to be considered. Interested candidates submitting only a resumes without an accompanying application will not be contacted. Standard background check and pre- employment drug and alcohol screenings are also required. Applications may be obtained at www.avec.org or by calling 907-561-1818. Completed applications should be returned to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc., 4831 Eagle Street, Anchorage, AK 99503-7497. Application deadline is June 29, 2009. EOE.

Interested applicants must submit a completed application to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc., 4831 Eagle Street, Anchorage, AK  99503-7497. Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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. Positions open until filled. Interviews by appointment only. EOE

Download an Application

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Scholarship Program

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.

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AVEC 4831 Eagle Street Anchorage Alaska 99503 (907) 561-1818 Copyright © All content property of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. All Rights Reserved.