Better Late Than Never

Editorial

June 15, 2007

The Matanuska Electric Association board of directors finally let slip one of its most closely guarded secrets - its &#82202007 Integrated Resource Plan.” The board also agreed to make public its 2006 report.

By voting this week to release the documents our electric cooperative is finally taking steps to operate in full public view. While we have been vigilant in taking the MEA board to task over its past unwillingness to be accountable to its member-owners, we say kudos to MEA now. By making public the studies and information gathered by Anchorage-based consulting firm CH2MHILL, MEA can begin to rebuild the public trust it has strained over its proposal to build a circulating fluid bed (CFB) coal-fired power plant.

Examine both reports online at:

http://www.mea.coop.

The 2007 resource plan is linked to the organization's home page while the 2006 plan is a little harder to track down. Find it under the &#8220New Generation” tab, then click on &#8220MEA Integrated Resource Plan.”

That MEA is being proactive in becoming a self-sufficient power supply entity is commendable.

Plowing through the detail of the plan we're impressed and pleased that, contrary to some scuttlebutt about what's been driving MEA's decisions, the resource report reflects an intelligent selection of options.

While renewable energy resources like wind, landfill gas and hydroelectric projects aren't offered as frontline solutions, the report recommends more study &#8220to inventory potential renewable resources” to augment MEA's potential coal and natural gas production.

With a growing interest by the Mat-Su Assembly to exercise some local control of its own over future power initiatives through a permitting process, the last thing MEA needs now is a battle on multiple fronts. Environmentalists will protest, as will those living around or near the plant's preferred site. The electric co-op's decision-makers don't need a fight with their own member-owners as well over the public process.

Now that local residents have access to the information MEA's directors used to make their decisions about coal- and natural gas-fired energy production, the MEA board needs to conduct co-op business with a high level of transparency.