MEA needs to act on power now

To the editor:

I just read a letter by Shane Lee about a natural gas plant. Opinions like his are great when facts don’t matter.  Mr. Lee and many others hope that a large hydroelectric plant is built. So do I.

But what is ignored is the timing. Lake Chakachamna could produce 300 MGWe but the earliest it could produce power is in about 10 years. Susitna is at least five years after that. So what do we do in the meantime?

Given the growth of electrical demand in this area, someone has to build a new plant before any hydro plant is constructed. What do you suggest for the interim? Will the construction cost figures be less if Chugach builds a gas plant? And what does Mr. Lee propose for emergency backup power in the Valley if a main transmission line is damaged?

Decisions on the best power solutions should be made after these questions are answered, not before.

Marvin Yoder

Palmer