Why I'm running for GVP Board.

Four years ago, GVP started using Time of Use billing. If this is the first time you’re hearing about it, it means you pay different rates for electricity between 4 and 9 p.m. That’s because power costs more during those hours. (See the annual profile tab on Understanding Demand or visit the simplified version to see how costs vary by the hour.) The way GVP spread out the wholesale power costs wasn’t fair—it just moved the unfairness to those who work 8 to 5. This needs to be fixed. The the current rate during peak hours is about 100% more than non-peak hours. To end this unfairness the increase should only be 37 to 40%. Current peak/non-peak pricing shifts the burden to those have no choice but to use electricity in peak hours to make dinner, dry cloths, etc.

Each household should have the freedom to choose how they pay for electricity. What works for one family may not work for another. I want to change GVP’s billing system so members can choose between Time-of-Use and other options that better match their needs.

The flip side of members being charged for the costs they incur is that members who do things to reduce GVC costs should be given credit for their actions.

The CEO of GVP has said that members with solar installations are being “subsidized” by other members. But right now, if there is any kind of subsidy, it’s too small to measure—and it’s more likely that solar users are actually “subsidizing” others members.

With GVP data it is actually clear that member solar installations are helping reduce everyone's power costs. When you include all factors (monthly demand cost reductions) the savings are about $7 to $10 a month for a member's solar installation. That’s because solar panels are working in the late afternoon, right when members are using the most power to cool their homes in the summer.

Starting June 1, 2028, GVP will buy power from Guzman Energy instead of Xcel, at a much lower price. I believe those savings should go to GVP members. Without good planning, members might miss out—so I’ll work to make sure GVP is ready to deliver those benefits.

I want to increase voter turnout. Right now, about 13% of GVP’s 18,000 members vote I would like to increase this to 25%. Alternative out reach and voting methods need to be explored. Many co-ops already offer and online voting options, and it’s time GVP does too. It must be done carefully to keep elections secure, but I believe the more members who vote, the stronger GVP will be.

I would also like to see more members bring there concerns directly to board members. Changing the time of meeting, for example 4pm to 9pm will help with this.

I want GVP to be a data-driven co-op that bases its decisions and policies on accurate information and data–not just ideals or assumptions. All our idea should be fire tested with data. That is why I’ve created the dashboard, Understanding Demand that uses real GVP data for director to explore how wholesale power prices vary by the hour of the day. A simplified version of the dashboard for members is also available

Without accurate data, we can’t make informed or effective decisions.

I look forward to the day that GVP and other Co-ops are required to make more of there data available for data analysis.