Editorial: MEA wants to go green with Railbelt funds

August 12, 2007

Frontiersman Editorial

Matanuska Electric Association is taking a breather from promoting a local power generation plan that includes burning coal and giving the appearance of becoming one with the environment.

Kermit the Frog tells us it's not easy being green, but MEA is slowly learning it's much less controversial than backing the black of coal. That's why the electric cooperative's recent proposal to use the remaining Railbelt Energy Fund - about $75 million - to set up renewable energy projects across Alaska is refreshing.

Given the co-op's recent history of animosity, secrecy and hostility toward anyone or any group daring to question its motives, it is easy to understand the public may take some convincing to accept MEA is sincere. MEA General Manager Wayne Carmony's plan is floated out there on the heels of a Mat-Su Borough poll that shows 88 percent of local residents support renewable energy resources at least in part.

To be fair, MEA already receives about 15 percent of its power from renewable sources, which is well above the national average for the Lower 48.

Giving MEA the benefit of the doubt that it is sincere in proposing a fund to support renewable resources, what's missing from the proposal is follow-up from the electric cooperative about what local projects MEA would pursue funding for. We know about its plan to build 200 megawatts of power generation, a 100-megawatt gas-fired plant and a 100-megawatt coal-fired plant.

If the proposal shows a genuine interest from our local power provider in becoming more involved in the pursuit of renewable resources - which we'll believe unless it's proven otherwise - this is a big step for MEA and its member-owners.

It also may be a little simplistic to simply say the best way to spend this Railbelt Energy Fund money is to shovel the rest into renewables. First, let's find out what the state and Railbelt's needs and projected needs will be. It may be that $75 million is too much, not enough or focused away from the best way to help the most people.

MEA has taken this handoff and is running with the ball, so let's see where it takes us. To score, we believe Carmony and the MEA Board of Directors must follow up a promising proposal with more specifics about how MEA and its member-owners could benefit.

We would hope that MEA would take the additional step of working with the Mat-Su Borough and the community while crafting this plan. We all have a vested interest in how this fund money is spent and how best to meet the power demands of our growing community, now and in the future.