By Suzanne Downing 
The Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors has voted to suspend its “Cents of Community” program for three months, after weeks of legal questions, regulatory uncertainty, and warnings from the state’s top law officer, Attorney General Stephen Cox.
The micro-donation plan, originally scheduled to launch this fall, would have rounded members’ monthly utility bills up to the next dollar and directed the extra cents to nonprofit organizations. But the initiative ran into immediate headwinds after concerns were raised about whether utility customers should be automatically enrolled in charitable giving without explicit consent, but instead required to “opt out.”
On Sept. 12, Attorney General Stephen Cox sent a letter to both Chugach Electric and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, arguing that the program could run afoul of First Amendment protections. As “captive customers” of an essential service, the AG said, members could be compelled to support nonprofits or advocacy efforts they personally oppose, simply as a consequence of paying their electric bill. Cox noted that the Department of Law has long objected to opt-out models for utilities, emphasizing that charitable giving must be an affirmative choice.
On Oct. 7, the RCA concluded it lacked jurisdiction over the plan, determining that the rounding mechanism did not affect core utility service or rates. But two commissioners dissented, arguing that any forced increase, however small, in a customer’s bill should be treated as a rate impact requiring express, opt-in approval.
The Attorney General’s Office then issued a consumer alert signaling the same concern, urging Chugach Electric to redesign the plan as opt-in only. Chugach paused the launch and entered discussions with state officials on possible revisions, though the cooperative provided no timeline for reintroducing the program.
With Tuesday’s board vote, the micro-donation program is now formally on hold through early 2026. The cooperative’s leadership said the pause will allow for continued legal review and potential redesigns that address both member concerns and the state’s constitutional objections.
Round-Up … A ‘complete’ idiotic idea that deserves nothing short of ‘Round House’ and ‘Upper Cut’ to the CEA Board!!!
Two thoughts, who on the board thought this up and introduced it, and who/how do they decide which charities receive these monies? The norm , unfortunately, is that there is some sort of tie between the people wanting this and the people who are getting the money.
Everybody has their hand out and trying to put the bite on you, all the time and everywhere you go. Enough already.
Seems Chugach Electric is just following suit with most businesses today that want people to “round up” their purchases with a charitable donation. As John H said…enough already.
Non profits are scammers
The laziest people are employed in a non profit