A Mat-Su utility is considering where to put new transmission lines needed for a growing population, but valley residents say their view is on the line and they aren’t happy about it.
Thursday night the Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) held its first open house to discuss its plans to construct a new 115 kV double circuit transmission from its Hospital Substation to its Herning Substation.
MEA’s communications manager Kevin Brown said Thursday “we have to build new transmission lines in order to serve a growing load in the Wasilla area.”
Nearly 100 people attended the open house held at the First Christ United Methodist Church in Wasilla to learn more about the project.
Wasilla Mayor Vern Rupright rejected MEA’s preferred plan to run the lines along the Parks Highway.
The three potential alternative routes for the transmission lines are in the vicinity of Bogard Road, Parks Highway, and Fairview Loop, the route MEA officials say has drawn the most concern from residents.
"This area around Fairview Loop and most of Wasilla is a beautiful area,” said long time Wasilla resident Anthony McNabb. “To see these power lines put in residential areas you're going to tick a lot of people off.”
Along with the potential for a restricted view, Fairview Loop residents are reluctant to support a plan that will end up costing them more money for a project that they feel doesn’t benefit them.
“We might use 5% of all that power,” said McNabb. “It’s all going to the commercial entity and they know it.”
“I think the people of Wasilla most benefit,” said Wasilla resident Brenda Muller. “They should consider it going through their area.”
Kevin Brown with MEA said concerns about the power poles being unsightly are overstated. Brown added “we know where those people are moving, they're moving right here to the core area right around Wasilla.”
MEA will host a second open house at the First Christ United Methodist Church on March 14th, with a public hearing scheduled for March 28th. The location for the public hearing still hasn’t been determined.
Officials say whichever route ends up being approved; they plan to start construction this fall.
