Energy Experience for the Mat-Su
I'm Henrik Wessel and I'm a developer, own and run a fishing lodge in the Susitna River Valley and own the historic Fairview Inn in Talkeetna. I have extensive experience in energy in Alaska. I worked with the Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) in Fairbanks for 8 years and developed wind and battery systems in the interior. I was born in Norway, but Alaska has been my home for over 35 years.
Over the course of my career, I've worked with Alaska electric cooperatives, alongside the ADEC and US Army Corps of Engineers on power projects in Healy, North Pole, Fairbanks, and Delta. I was involved in the Eva Creek wind farm in Ferry and the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which, in 2003, was the largest successful battery build in the world. I hold a degree in Natural Resources Management and a Masters in Environmental Quality Science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
I'd be honored to earn your vote to serve as your next partner on the Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) board, bringing my career experience in energy technologies and small business common sense to work with you on solutions for reliable, affordable energy, more local jobs, and economic stability that can also work with our land and water resources.
Diversifying Our Options to Lower Costs
From urban Alaska to the interior, I'm witnessing the generational change to cheaper and more reliable local energy options.
Advanced technologies are on our doorstep and the best service our electric co-op can share with our members is to proactively examine all our options to lower costs.
At the same time, I'm passionate about helping members get access to exciting new ways to save with energy efficiency and conservation, such as energy efficiency incentives and savings that can put members in charge of their energy use.
Small Business Sense for Our Board
The Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) board makes some of the most economically-impactful decisions in our community.
With so many big choices looming, I'll be a voice on the MEA board for our pocketbooks and a transparent, accountable, and proactive co-op that balances the budget.
A Vision for Jobs Creation
Proactive co-ops have many options to create new economic activity and invest in local jobs creation.
From new local energy technologies to consumer-centric opportunities like efficiency and electric vehicles, I'll do my part to keep our energy dollars recirculating here at home and create good-paying career options for our youth and adults alike.
HOW TO VOTE
MEA members have three options to vote in this board election - online, by mail, or in person.
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Thursday, April 4. Ballots and election packets will be mailed out and online voting will open at noon on SmartHub. To vote online, log into your SmartHub account and look for the voting option.
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Monday, April 29. Mail-in ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. and online voting closes.
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Tuesday, April 30. Members can vote at the MEA Annual Meeting, starting 3:00 pm Glenn Massay Theater at the Mat-Su College. Com hear me and the other candidates speak about our top energy issues in the MatSu Valley. Election results will be announced at the end of the meeting!
