Comments

Gas Plant wrote on May 11, 2009 7:46 PM:

" Everyone knows MEA has rung about all there is out of their 30YO system. Wayne just got the last years. Wayne's BB's "experienced management" will be missed as long as the "experienced management" Wayne offed. A Coop shouldn't act like a little a Enron. "




TO False Flags wrote on May 11, 2009 11:21 AM:

" Chugach Electric and ML&P empolyees (or their contactors) know exactly what MEA should give up to help the Anchorage companies they work for. Who will protect MEA when the Board finishing dumping our experienced managers? Not the Board, they could not tell the difference between wheeling, wondering and wishing. Goodbye to low priced power to the Valley. "




Gas Plant wrote on May 10, 2009 12:21 PM:

" No, it's not mean old Wayne, it's incompetent old Wayne. That switch at Lucas got opened 10 years ago as a temporary measure because of the defects discovered in Shaws design. He has left the members hanging out ever since, and that's not the only example, just talk to the members in Talketna and the Stevens substation and do the members in Eagle River remember the Briggs Tap War with ML&P a few winters ago? Eklutna PP was another big win too! "




To Gas Bag wrote on May 10, 2009 10:17 AM:

" The issue is not wheeling costs/fees but rather operating the MEA system in the most reliable manner. By closing the 115 kv switch at Lucas, this allows MEA customers to be served from either the Eklutna or Teeland substations. This prevents outages to 1/2 of the MEA load when there is a transmission line fault. MEA could install a phase shifting transformer to prevent all unscheduled flows across their 115 kv line or negotiate a wheeling agreement with ML&P/CEA if us MEA customers feel we are being abused by the utilities. "




TO Gas Bag Ready wrote on May 9, 2009 6:56 AM:

" God forbid MEA get paid wheeling fees when others use the system. That mean old uncooperative Wayne Carmony. Why won't he just let the other utilities use the MEA system for free? Why does he always insist on protecting MEA members? He is just so uncooperative. Not to worry, the self-proclaimed professionals on the volunteer MEA Board will make sure MEA rolls over and cooperates with our "cooperative" neighbors. MEA members: open your checkbooks! "




Gas Plant wrote on May 8, 2009 3:26 PM:

" You're right Ready that is the main path. MEA is in control of a 115kV path from Anchorage thru Eklutna. Check this story out, it's the real results of the open switch at Lucas.

chugachelectric.com/news/pr110602.htm

But Shaw is a kludge and needs to be rebuilt to be a proper 115kV switching station.
Wayne wanted to leverage the back-up path to get participation in the rebuild from the other Railbelt Utilities and wheeling fees too:) "




Ready Kilowatt wrote on May 8, 2009 7:48 AM:

" To Gas Plant: The open switch does not interrupt the power flow to Fairbanks. That power flows from Pt. MacKenzie to Teeland to Fairbanks. What that open Lucas switch does do is it places 1/2 of the MEA load in jeperady to outages because there is no back up path for power to flow when there is an transmission line outage. The operation of MEA's system with that Lucas switch open creates a bigger risk to MEA consumers than the benifit of local generation. "




Ready Kilowatt wrote on May 6, 2009 7:43 AM:

" To Gas Plant, If you are correct, why has MEA not upgraded Shaw Sub to allow for the Lucas switch to be closed? Seems like that would be a good investment that would HUGE dividends in making the power more reliable for the MEA customers. To the MEA BOD, why not look into these issues and get an independent opinion? "




Gas Plant wrote on May 5, 2009 7:00 PM:

" And don't forget the "art of war" reason why the switch at Lucas was opened - because it interrupted a transmission path between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Thus ticking off ML&P, GVEA, CEA, and puttin' Boss Hog in the drivers seat. "




Gas Plant wrote on May 5, 2009 10:48 AM:

" Hi Ready, Caromony ordered the switch at Lucas opened more than 10 years ago and it was because he was unwilling to spend the money, to upgrade Shaw, to make it a safe and reliable 115kV switching station. "




Sorry Marvin wrote on May 5, 2009 6:34 AM:

" Aren't you the one who ran for MEA board on a platform of being gung-ho on nuclear power and fossil fuels? Isn't that all extremely dangerous and polluting at a fragile and critical juncture for life on earth?

You are too anxious to spend Valley money (to the tune of hundreds of millions) on a fossil fuel power plant. Before we rush to sink all that money in a finite energy source, let's use common sense, conservation practices, patience and wisdom, and continue developing our renewable, safe, clean energy. "




Gas Plant wrote on May 4, 2009 8:08 PM:

" What is a MGWe? A unit the lawyers and traders thought up? "




Ready Kilowatt wrote on May 4, 2009 1:15 PM:

" To Amp,

Trust me, both CEA and ML&P do not want Wayne Carmony. He destroyed those relationships years ago. Now MEA is an isolated utility that has very few options for the future. "




Dave wrote on May 4, 2009 9:33 AM:

" I can see why Mr. Yoder didn't make it to MEA's Board. When the other utilities get together and find a solution for our long term energy needs MEA could be on the outside looking in. I wonder what MEA would do with their power plant ten years from now if it was built? We, the consumer will pay for it, no matter how much it costs. It will be cheaper in the end to continue to buy our power until a long term solution is constructed. "




Ron wrote on May 4, 2009 9:17 AM:

" Dear Mr. Yoder,
One reason you may not have made it to the MEA Board is because we do not want a rubber stamper for MEA's managment. It is simple math, it will not be cost effective for the consumer to build a plant and buy fuel to run it as a long term solution for our energy needs. People want a board that will work with the other utilities, not go it alone. We will be fine buying power from Chugach in the interm. You have answered your own question, let Chugach spend the money to build a plant. "




Local wrote on May 4, 2009 9:00 AM:

" Generate local jobs, local economy, local power, gas or cleaner nuke. Local means build a plant in PALMER with local partners instead of stopping their permitting at huge cost to ratepayers as has been the past actions. "




amp wrote on May 4, 2009 7:53 AM:

" yoder you and those like you downing, folsom,miller etc. is the reason why mea is in the condition it is today. get rid of carmony go to cea and apologize and start negotating a new contract. "




Electric Bill Shock wrote on May 3, 2009 8:56 PM:

" How can MEA say that they can generate power cheaper when they don't have a long term natural gas contract? What will be the cost of our fuel? Since the fuel conponent is 60% or more of the base rate, how can MEA say that it will be less expensive. Economy of scale dictate that it will be far less expensive to partner with ML&P and CEA in all future generation activities. "




MEA Power User wrote on May 3, 2009 8:49 PM:

" If you study MEA's outage records you'll find that the majority of them are caused at the local level. For example, trees in lines, transformer failures, snow loading on lines just to name a few. The transmission grid and generation sources have a high level of reliabity equal to the lower 48. Building a new power plant will not significantly increase your power reliabity. "




REady Kilowatt wrote on May 3, 2009 7:18 PM:

" The valley can be served from either the Eklutna 115kv line or directly from Teeland Substation. WAKE UP FOLKS, if you want additional reliability have MEA close the Lucas switch looping the Eklutna & Teeland feeds. This costs nothing & provides dual feed to all of the valley load.

Five years ago this switch was opened on direct orders from Wayne Carmony. ML&P and CEA cautioned MEA that this would decrease their reliabiity. If you don't believe me go ask ML&P or CEA. "




concerned wrote on May 3, 2009 11:22 AM:

" I agree with you Mr. Yoder, but I have zero faith that the current board majority of the MEA board will do anything but throw their hands up and say, it's too hard, and they will just give MEA lock, stock, and barrel to Chugach electric, and we will be captives of Chugach like we have been since the 1960's. MEA has the largest service area and growth potential, but the current board majority could care less, they have too many debts to pay, rather than worry about our rates and growing power needs. "




Palmer based power wrote on May 3, 2009 8:34 AM:

" Lets do the smart thing, what is not being disucssed, lets build a gas or clean nuclear plant here in Palmer. Lets have a few good jobs for our people! Lets get the plant started. Several operators have come forth with plans, the MEA BOD and Management have not heard or listened. Come on MEA BOD, local, I mean local power here in Palmer. Before it is too late. "