Mat-Su

MEA plans public meetings to discuss Wasilla transmission line

WASILLA -- Plans for a new Matanuska Electric Association power line through Wasilla are moving ahead again after local officials rejected the utility's bid to string the transmission line along tall towers next to the Parks Highway.

The Wasilla planning commission in August 2013 told MEA any transmission line along the Parks corridor would have to be buried. Members cited the city's "viewshed" and threats to future development in the area.

Now two upcoming MEA events will give the public a chance to learn more about the four new proposed locations for the line and also to share their opinions.

MEA will hold an open house from 5-9 p.m. on May 21 at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. A public hearing is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. on June 11 at the sports center.

MEA needs the new line, the utility says, to meet Wasilla's growing demand and improve system reliability. The Palmer-based cooperative plans to construct a new 115-kilovolt double circuit transmission line from the Lazelle Station at Hay Street, between Seward Meridian Parkway and Hyer Road, to the MEA Herning Substation south of the Alaska Railroad depot.

Burying the line isn't an option given the cost and other issues with an underground transmission line like this one, MEA officials say.

The four routes are located near the local movie theater, in the Fairview Loop Road area, in an area near Old Matanuska Road and south of the city. Co-op members can review information and submit feedback at the MEA website, email WasillaTLine@mea.coop or call customer service at 761-9277 to provide comments.

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The city of Wasilla has no meetings scheduled on the transmission line at this point because MEA has yet to submit an application, city planner Tina Crawford said Friday. MEA did invite city representatives to the upcoming events and several plan to attend.

MEA has been "talking to us and the planning commission," Crawford said. "They want the planning commission to attend just to be able to listen in and see what's going on before they actually submit something to them."

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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