“Advisory ballots were mailed to every MEA member last month asking them to rank their preference on five potential site areas,” said Lorali Carter, MEA Manager of Government and Corporate Communications. With over 12 percent of the membership participating in the advisory vote, Carter said she was pleased with the turnout. “We always hope for a great turnout in all of our elections, and I am particularly pleased that there are so many of our members who want to participate in the new generation plans,” she said.
Carter explained that the MEA Board of Directors will be presented with the tally of the advisory vote at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 11. “The Board will discuss the results of the advisory vote on Monday and is expected to take action on the site selection,” she said.
After the Board makes a formal decision on the chosen site, MEA will move forward with a thorough site assessment.
“The advisory vote is important to MEA’s decision, yet it is only the beginning of the process,” said Lee Jordan, President of the MEA Board of Directors. The Glenn Highway Gravel Pits South site will now undergo a thorough site assessment which will include research such as land sale negotiations, and investigation of permit requirements and regulatory compliance, Jordan stated.
“It’s possible that even a site preferred by most members and the MEA Board may be found impossible to develop because of unforeseen geo-technical, environmental, or other issues. We will investigate the preferred site first. If it’s ruled out, we’ll likely move on to the next most preferred site,” Jordan explained.
MEA will continue to communicate with its membership throughout the process.
1,067 ballots were not properly cast and were not counted. There were 16 outer ballot envelopes returned to MEA which did not contain a ballot.