July 3, 2007

By Russell Stigall / Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Matanuska Electric Association member-owners have another chance to vote on their co-op's future electric generation plans. About 42,000 MEA member-owners can expect an informational packet and Management Advisory Ballot to come in the mail this week, MEA spokesperson Lorali Carter said. The packet will explain the impacts of the Mat-Su Borough's proposed electrical generation ordinance on the electric cooperative's plans to build 200 megawatts of new electric generation in the Mat-Su Valley.

The Borough's ordinance requires potential power providers to supply to the borough information documenting the impacts of building and operating an electric generator in the Valley of 50 megawatts or greater. The environmental and public health impacts required by the ordinance cover cultural resources, land use, noise, traffic and transportation, visual resources, socioeconomics, air quality, hazardous materials handling, waste management, biological resources, water resources, soils, geological hazards and resources and transmission system safety and nuisance. The ordinance also covers appeals, enforcement, penalties and fees.

The borough released its ordinance June 19. Assembly member Tom Kluberton requested the ordinance be drafted. He has said the ordinance responds to concerns his constituents have over MEA's plan to produce its base load of electricity from a coal-fired power plant.

Peter Burchell, MEA board member, said he found out about his organization's advisory ballot not from MEA administration, but while driving in his car.

“I only heard about it from the radio,” Burchell said, adding the ballot's secrecy is indicative of MEA's lack of transparency. “We just have another decree coming out of that office without input or approval.”

Burchell encourages member-owners who have questions or comments attend MEA's next board of directors meeting, set for 4 p.m. July 9 at MEA headquarters, 163 E. Industrial Way, Palmer.

Sue Ely of the Alaska Center for the Environment said that, speaking for herself, she believes MEA's reaction to the borough's ordinance will only hurt the co-op.

“I personally think this is MEA falling on their swords,” Ely said of its new ballot, adding she is disappointed with MEA's decision to send out new information packets and ballots. “It is not a good use of rate-payer money.”

Advertisements warning of the ballot appeared in newspapers and on the radio over the weekend. As of Monday evening, MEA had yet to put information of the ballot on its Web site.

To be counted, ballots must be signed by a valid MEA member-owner and returned to MEA by mail by no later than July 31.

Contact Russell Stigall at 352-2267 or russell.stigall@frontiersman.com.