WASILLA -- An outspoken critic of the Matanuska Electric Association is asking state regulators to investigate the cooperative's move to build a coal-fired power plant as a violation of by-laws that mandate ratepayer participation.
Bill Erickson, banned from MEA meetings in May over assault allegations, is asking the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to scrutinize the Palmer-based co-op on numerous points.
Chief among them: MEA's decision to sever ties with Chugach Electric Association and build a 100-megawatt, coal-fired plant and a 100-megawatt, natural-gas plant without a vote of its 55,000 "member-owners."
Erickson wants regulators to audit MEA, as well as to look into several other charges including the co-op's reluctance to release the full version of a consultant report detailing the rationale behind the coal plant decision.
He also resurrects months-old accusations that MEA undermined the election of board candidate Dan Tucker in March by calling him a Wasilla resident.
Erickson said he filed his request to protect the rights of all MEA ratepayers.
"It's a co-op, member owned," Erickson said. "In the by-laws it says we are to remain informed so we do not lose control of the association."
The complaint does not automatically trigger an investigation, RCA spokeswoman Grace Salazar said.
A five-person panel will decide whether to pursue Erickson's claims only after MEA gets a chance to respond. The co-op must file an answer by July 23.
"We need to determine whether there is really unreasonable management practices by MEA here," Salazar said.
What would constitute "unreasonable management?"
"If there is an adverse effect toward the cost or quality of service provided by the utility," she said.
Salazar said the commission generally decides whether to launch an investigation within a few weeks.
Lawyers at MEA will decide how to respond, MEA spokeswoman Lorali Carter said.
Carter was reluctant to speak specifically to any of Erickson's charges, instead focusing on his run-ins with co-op officials.
Erickson was banned from MEA property after general manager Wayne Carmony accused him of pushing him in a parking lot before a meeting May 19. An Alaska state trooper responded. No criminal charges were filed.
Erickson has said he simply tapped Carmony on the shoulder. Carter said Carmony twisted his knee trying not to fall down.
Erickson is leading a drive to recall three MEA board members: Lee Jordan, David Dahms and Larry DeVilbiss.
Dan Tucker in March lost his bid to oust DeVilbiss from his Palmer district seat by a little more than 300 votes.
Tucker claims MEA cost him the election by describing him as a Wasilla resident, despite his legitimate candidacy for a Palmer district position. Tucker has a Wasilla mailing address.
"Palmer people don't vote for Wasilla people," he said.
"They're creating something out of nothing," MEA spokeswoman Carter responded. "There's absolutely no black helicopter in the sky trying to say Mr. Tucker lives in a different area."
Erickson's complaint of "unreasonable management practices" before the RCA is uncommon, spokeswoman Salazar said. The only similar request is one filed by former Chugach Electric board president Ray Kreig last year over a recent union contract.
Find Zaz Hollander online at adn.com/contact/zhollander or call 257-4200.
