What is the APA Director Academy?
Alaska Power Association has developed an educational program designed to provide electric utility board members throughout Alaska with a foundation in our state’s unique electric energy history, the roles of government in our industry, the importance of advocacy, and Alaska cooperative and public utility law.
The first part of the academy comprises courses AK101 through AK105. Directors who complete this training are well-positioned to move on to the AK200-level courses to be offered in the future.
In addition, electric cooperative directors who complete these courses in the one-day format during the APA and AIE Annual Meeting may be eligible to receive two credits toward the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Board Leadership Certificate (BLC).
AK101: History of the Alaska Electric Utility Industry
Taught by Crystal Enkvist, APA Executive Director
This course provides a holistic historical overview of electric energy in Alaska, from the Gold Rush and farm settlers to the creation of the first Electric Reliability Organization in the state. Topics covered include the formation of cooperatives in Alaska, federal investment in hydropower, state investment in oil and gas development, creation of the Power Cost Equalization program, the Bradley Lake Project Management model, energizing the Alaska Intertie, and the deployment of renewables. Federal and state legislation and regulatory frameworks are interwoven throughout the course.
AK102: Roles of State and Federal Government in the Alaska Electric Industry
Taught by Michael Rovito, APA Deputy Director
This course describes the many state and federal government agencies that play important roles in Alaska’s electric energy landscape. Whether they are funding, leasing land, permitting, regulating, or evaluating, the actions of state and federal government are critical to a project’s success or failure. Attendees will apply this information from theory to practice as the formation of the state’s capital and operating budgets is covered.
AK103: Alaska State Legislative and Federal Congressional Overview
Taught by Michael Rovito, APA Deputy Director
Participants will learn how utility officials and trade associations work with Alaska lawmakers and members of the congressional delegation. The role of political action committees will be discussed, along with tips for effectively communicating with elected officials and key staff. Current and emerging Alaska electric utility state and federal legislative issues will be covered.
AK104A: Introduction to Alaska Cooperative and Public Utility Law (Lecture)
Participants in this course, taught by Alaska Power Association’s general counsel, will receive a foundational overview of the structural rules comprising the Alaska Electric and Telephone Cooperative Act, including:
- Alaska cooperative governance structure and restrictions
- Open Meetings Act requirements
- Cooperative member access to records
- Board member compensation
- Alaska co-op taxation
- Conflicts of interest in Alaska
AK104B: Introduction to Alaska Cooperative and Public Utility Law (Group Discussion and Exercises)
AK105: Legal Issues and Exercises for Alaska Electric Co-op Directors
This course, taught by Alaska Power Association’s general counsel, provides real-life examples of legal and management issues faced by electric utility boards in Alaska and the Lower 48. Participants will break into groups to apply their newly acquired legal knowledge and show how they, as directors, would approach problem-solving in partnership with their utility CEO and legal counsel.