Dear Neighbors,
As part of the construction of MEA's new power plant, the state-of-the-art Eklutna Generation Station, MEA is planning to build a new transmission line from Eklutna to the Herning substation in Wasilla. This will let us more efficiently get the power we generate at Eklutna to our customers through our service territory.
MEA contracted with Dryden & LaRue, Inc. to conduct the following transmission line routing studies:
- Eklutna Generation Station to Hospital Substation – Construction of a new double circuit transmission line from the switch yard located adjacent to the EGS to MEA's Hospital Substation near the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
- Hospital Substation to Herning Substation – Construction of a new double circuit transmission line from MEA's Hospital Substation near the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center to the Herning Substation located on South Denali Street just east of Knik-Goose Bay Road.
The study reviewed the viability of the following five routing options for the Hospital Substation to Herning Substation portion of the project:
- Northern Route Option (Bogard Road)
- Central Route Option (Palmer-Wasilla Highway)
- Southern Route Option
- Alaska Railroad Route Option
- Parks Highway Route Option (proposed optimal route)
The following rating criteria factored into the analysis of routing options:
- Cost
- Ability to strengthen MEA's transmission grid
- Minimize public controversy
- Schedule to energize
MEA has established a project website to help our members become more informed about this important project. Please visit www.eklutnagenerationstation.com/transmission/ for more information. There you will find route maps and the full routing studies, as well as a Q&A about our public participation process.
Public comments on the project will be accepted in writing until Friday, October 19th, at 5pm. Comments can be submitted via email to publiccomments@mea.coop, by mail, or via the project website.
State Disaster Assistance – see attached Flyer for more information
For Individuals and Families with damaged homes and personal property lost in Wasilla and the surrounding area during the 2012 Severe Storms. If you know someone affected by the flooding and severe storms, please forward the attached flyer to them.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply in person at the Cottonwood Fire Station Disaster Assistance Center.
To apply by phone, call toll free 1-855-445-7131 starting October 3rd. TTY 1-855-445-7131
The deadline to apply for individual assistance is Tuesday, November 20, 2012.
New Earthquake App Brings American Red Cross Safety Information to Mobile Devices
Red Cross of Alaska Urges Personal Preparedness to All Alaskans
See attached information: This free app-–available in English or Spanish-–is the third in a series created by the American Red Cross, the nation's leader in emergency preparedness, for use on both iPhone and Android platforms.
I hope this information will be helpful to you.
Shelley Hughes
Representative - House District 13 (Palmer)
