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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAEA Board Meeting Jan 29 2011Alaska Industrial Development Pa and Export Authority AL�� ASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY Alaska Energy Authority BOARD MEETING MINUTES January 29, 2011 Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska; Las Cruses, New Mexico; and Singapore, Singapore CALL TO ORDER Chairman Felix called the meeting of the Alaska Energy Authority to order on January 29, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. A quorum was established. 2. ROLL CALL: BOARD Members present in Anchorage: Acting Chair Michael T. Felix (Public Member); and Bryan Butcher (Commissioner, Department of Revenue). Via Teleconference: Susan K. Bell (Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development); Robert D. Sheldon (Public Member); and Gary R. Wilken (Public Member). 3. ROLL CALL: STAFF, PUBLIC Staff present in Anchorage: Mike Harper, (AEA Acting Executive Director), Christopher Rutz, (Procurement Manager), Shauna Howell, (Executive Assistant) and Brian Bjorkquist, (Department of Law). Public present: Marilyn Leland, Executive Director, Alaska Power Association (APA). Teleconference: Brian Newton (President and CEO, GVEA) and Clay Koplin (CEO, Cordova Electric Cooperative). 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Leland thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak as AEA seeks to fill the position of Executive Director, stating the decision made will be one of the most important by the Board. Alaska is embarking on an exciting time in that the Governor has placed $65M in the budget to start the Susitna dam, which will be the largest state project in our history. There are other bills before the Legislature that would expand AEA's responsibilities, possibly allowing it to own facilities and fund needed construction. APA membership supports that idea. She also stated all the good work done by AEA in the past, especially noting the efforts by retired Executive Director, Steve Haagenson. We need to put to good use all of the information gathered to solve Alaska's energy problems. She said she was gratified to see some of the names on the list of interviewees. The person selected must hit the ground running, have an understanding of the 813 West Northern Lights Boulevard • Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2495 www.aidea.org • 907/771-3000 0 FAX 907/771-3044 0 Toll Free (Alaska Only) 888/300-8534 9 www.akenergyauthority.org AEA Board Meeting January 29, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 many challenges in rural, Railbelt, southeast, and all areas of the State, be innovative and open to creative solutions, balance a variety of interests and listen to all interested parties. The selected person will have to make some tough decisions which will take an understanding of existing energy system in Alaska, have a technical background in energy and leadership and adequate resources and have the AEA Board behind them. Chairman Felix stated those points have been among the four major selection criteria for the Board. Mr. Newton stated he is also serving as co-chair of the APA Manager's Association with Mr. Koplin, as well as serving as Chairman for the IOC, actively working on renewing the Intertie Agreement between AEA and the utilities. He thanked the Board for allowing GVEA to weigh in on this tough decision. GVEA supports candidates Pat Galvin, Jim Strandberg, and Brian Hickey. This is an extremely important position. Without an energy advisor to the Governor, the AEA position will be key to advising the Governor in policy decisions on energy and in working with the utilities as we move forward on Susitna, the Intertie Agreement and other needs across the Railbelt. The candidates must be familiar with AEA, the industry that we work in and they need to be professional. The candidates mentioned have the knowledge that would work well with the utilities to do what's best for the citizens of the state. Mr. Koplin stated he is a RE, lifelong Alaskan and has lived all over the state. He said he would speak candidly and pointedly and felt strongly that this is a critical position at a critical time. This is probably the most important decision many Board members will make during their tenure. He said he didn't know a lot of names on the list, but a profile is what's important right now. The selected person will need world -class skills in these key areas: leadership, leadership and leadership. This leader will have to be given the responsibility, the resources and the support to lead troops, gather allies and fight the battles in front of us and win them for Alaska. This person has to be a Type A personality, have passion, be assertive, decisive, selfless, and absolutely fearless for Alaska's future. They must understand that Alaska has its back against the wall regarding energy solutions. They must recognize that right now we have the resources and a fleeting opportunity to act boldly and seize Alaska's future. For an AEA Director to be successful in this environment, they have to be assertive. They have to be able to assert themselves over the Governor, over corporate interests that have their fingers in Alaska, over the Alaska Congressional delegation, over the State Legislature, perhaps even the popular will of the people of Alaska to make hard, right decisions for our future, probably at the expense of their career and self -interests. The last thing the state needs right now is a 'yes' person or a headliner. If you don't have this profile on the list in front of you, you need to tear it up and get this position right — Alaska can't afford not to. He said they appreciated the opportunity to address the Board as managers in the state. There are hundreds of years of combined experience serving the entire state and the electric energy industry. He stated we also understand the fossil fuel challenges and opportunities — the world class renewable energy resources Alaska has; we understand the short and long term needs and we represent hundreds of years of combined expertise and deep emotional and personal investments in our communities and around the state. AEA Board Meeting Meeting Minutes January 29, 2011 Page 3 of 3 Chairman Felix entertained a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of interviewing the applicants for the position of Executive Director. No applicants desired their interviews to be conducted in public session. MOTION: Commissioner Butcher moved to go into executive session. Seconded by Mr. Sheldon. Hearing no opposition, the Board moved to executive session. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Executive Director Interviews EXECUTIVE SESSION — 9:48 a.m. The Board reconvened its regular meeting at 2:14 pm. MOTION: Commissioner Butcher moved to recess the meeting until Monday, January 31, 2011, immediately following the AIDEA Board meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Bell. There were no objections. 6. ADJOURNMENT There beingo further business of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m. n Michael C.-Harper, Acting Executive Director/Secretary Alaska Energy Authority