PALMER – By nearly a 5 to 1 margin, MEA members voted in favor of building local power generation facilities in MEA’s service area, and of bringing an end to the era of purchasing expensive power from Chugach Electric.
“The members of MEA have delivered a clear and overwhelming mandate in support of MEA management, and those Board members who support the plan to build local generation,” said Lorali Carter, MEA Manager of Government and Corporate Communications. “When these plans are completed, our energy needs will be met by the most modern and efficient generation facilities anywhere in Alaska.”
Of the 9,565 ballots counted in MEA’s management advisory vote:
- 7,115 members voted for Local Generation
- 1,445 members voted for Imported Power from Chugach Electric
- 911 members offered a write-in alternative (write-in ballots will be hand tallied on Friday)
“MEA’s member-owners have sent a very clear message that they want local power,” said MEA General Manager Wayne Carmony. “Hopefully, the Mat-Su Borough will recognize that a large portion of their constituents are opposed to the increased government red-tape that could stop our local generation projects.”
Advisory ballots were mailed to every MEA member last month in response to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s proposed ordinance regulating power plants. With nearly 23 percent of the membership participating in the advisory vote, Carter said she was thrilled with the turnout.
“As the Mat-Su Borough spends the next few weeks considering their proposed power plant ordinance, I hope they will also consider that a large portion of their constituents believe that regulations brought in from California will not help us meet our energy needs,” Carmony stated.