MEA on the right power production path

This is written to aggravate and wake up all those idealistic — but unrealistic — Matanuska Electric Association member and nonmember writers opposing the efforts of MEA directors and administrators to continue to provide us affordable electricity.

The simple fact is that practical use of alternative energy at a reasonable price in amounts required is technologically many years away. Merely saying that wind power, tidal power, solar power, geothermal power or fish oil power are desirable energy sources do not make them suitable for medium- to large-scale energy production. The know-how and financial resources to make them feasible in the next 10 to 20 years does not exist.

The dilemma now faced by MEA and its members is to continue to buy electrical power at a price and reliability that are completely controlled by others or to immediately begin efforts to provide our own power. The vast majority of MEA member-owners voted to be self-sufficient by producing our own electrical power. There are only four methods currently used worldwide to produce reasonably large amounts of electricity.

Hydro power involving dams with major environmental impacts and huge capital costs are far beyond the need and capital investment capabilities of MEA. Forget about nuclear energy production, even if it does have the best safety, environmental and economical records of all major electrical energy sources. Our practical choices are reduced to natural gas and coal.

We know that reserves and availability of Cook Inlet natural gas are rapidly declining. The cost of heating my home with natural gas has increased over the last 20 y ears to approach what it once cost to heat with electricity.

We have no assurance that more Cook Inlet natural gas will be discovered and none that North Slope gas will ever be piped to our area. But, considering the possibility of these potential new sources and the current known reserves, and the estimated future costs of gas, it is in our best interest to plan to use natural gas for our electrical producing source.

At the same time, since natural gas availability and price is uncertain, it seems prudent to have a safe, reliable, inexpensive alternative — coal. Not many people remember when coal was the primary source of electricity for Anchorage and to heat nearly every home, store and school building in this Valley. And we did not have scrubbers or other technology now available. The skies were not sooty all day as some alarmists have proclaimed for our future.

I believe the MEA directors have studied the issues, examined the alternatives and have, in fact, chosen the best direction for producing and delivering our electrical power requirements for the foreseeable future.

Bob Harris is a Wasilla resident.