July 10, 2007

Spectrum / Darin Markwadt

So, MEA is finally going to the people. It wants advice concerning its plans to divorce Chugach Electric. It is odd that MEA is finally asking for advice. This is, after all, the same company that threw out 20 percent of the advisory ballots gathered two months ago because MEA did not like what that member-owners had to say. This is the same company that decided in 2006 to build a coal-fired plant without ever going to its membership.

So why is MEA finally asking for advice? Well, truth be told, it's in a bind. The Mat-Su Borough has introduced an ordinance that makes electric companies conform to strict requirements about the pollutants they can spread into the air and where such a polluting machine can be placed.

MEA is scared - scared that the borough will stand up for the people; scared that that someone - anyone - will subvert its power.

In an attempt to look democratic MEA has sent out a ballot, with a wee bit of propaganda attached. On the ballot you can choose: A) Stay with Chugach; or B) Build a coal-fired plant. Nowhere is there a C) Renegotiate with Chugach; or D) Build a 100-megawatt gas-fired plant and buy the other 30-40 megawatts needed from Chugach; or E) Form a co-op with the other utilities; or F) Pursue renewable energy sources with other utilities at Fire Island, Lake Chackachamna, Mt. Spurr and the Knik Arm.

Nope, all MEA wants to know is whether you want to ruin the Mat-Su Valley forever by staying with Chugach or save yourselves, small children, the world and few bucks by building a coal-fired electric plant.

In the MEA information pamphlet, Wayne Carmony writes that he has come to the members for “advice.” Then he uses the rest of his letter (and your electric bill) stating why building a coal-fired plant is the only sane option. Basically, he's saying, “Hey, I want to know what you think. So you have two options. If you choose the first, you are incredibly ill-informed, stupid and a spy for Chugach. If you choose the second option you are an intelligent constituent.”

Carmony's entire case for coal rests on two arguments - that reliability will be increased with local generation and that MEA customers will be able to pay much less with a coal-fired plant in their backyard.

Both arguments are flawed.

Increased reliability sounds great until you realize we already have incredibly reliable power. Turn on your light. Did it work? The truth is MEA and Chugach have done a terrific job at providing reliable service. MEA's other contention that our rates will be reduced is equally banal. MEA customers already pay incredibly low rates. In fact, we pay the lowest rates in the Railbelt and the second lowest rate in the state.

Yet, Carmony would have us believe we pay an exorbitant rate for electricity and our service is unreliable.

The problem with that argument is that MEA actually does a great job providing reliable service with low rates.

So why do we need to divorce from Chugach? Why do we need to build a coal-fired plant that will spew 2.6 pounds of mercury in the air per year? Why do we need an electric plant that will (allegedly) pollute the Valley's air and water, and will increase the incidences of nervous system disorders, emphysema, asthma and cancer?

It is time for answers. The people of the Valley are tired of lies, secrecy and propaganda. We are tired of being insulted. We are tired of being given inane arguments, especially regarding something so serious. It is time to tell MEA to go back to the table with Chugach. Renegotiate, and do not build a coal plant in the Matanuska Valley.

Our quality of life is not for sale.