By TED LEONARD
I am Ted Leonard. I am running for one of the two at-large seats for the Matanuska Electric Association, MEA Board covering Chugiak, Eagle River and Mat-Su.
My wife Colleen Sullivan-Leonard and I are long -time residents of the Mat-Su, with many years of experience in public service, both at the local and state level. My experience has been in finance and in financing utility projects across Alaska. That experience makes me an ideal candidate for the MEA board.
I am supported and endorsed by neighbors, veterans, Mat-Su Home Builders, local and state elected officials as well as Mat-Su Republican Region 2 Council and Eagle River District 23. They have faith that my work will be toward an open and transparent utility governance and will seek ways to bring safe, affordable, and reliable power to our MEA ratepayers.
MEA has been good stewards in how they manage and provide power to our residents. Currently MEA power is generated through base load power sources consisting of approximately 84% gas and 16% hydro.
Issues of renewable energy sources (green new deal) is that they don’t pan out. When you turn on your light switch at home you want immediate results even during peak use during cold winter months. Integrating Renewables into the system will be difficult since they are intermittent power sources by nature. The highest cost power on grid is the Fire Island Wind Farm. The Fire Island Wind Farm is a failed system that is better at killing birds then providing reliable power.
Presently utilities across the Railbelt are working together through the Bradley Project Management Committee to extend infrastructure from Bradley Lake hydro facility to expand capacity of power. It is important to support their efforts to ensure future redundancy and resilience for power sources for MEA and other utilities.
With many issues facing MEA and future power needs for Chugiak, Eagle River and Mat-Su, it is important to have knowledgeable, dedicated board members to help MEA in their continued work for safe, reliable and affordable power. I am in this race to do that.
Remember, every vote counts, especially in utility board races. If you haven’t mailed in your ballot yet, which is to be received by April 24 at 5 pm, then get online mea.smarthub.coop and use the Smarthub to vote. It’s fast and easy.
These seats are too important to have outside liberal woke groups decide the direction of MEA in this critical time. Get out the vote and vote for me, Ted Leonard for the MEA Board. Thanks for your time and support.
Ted Leonard is a candidate for the board of Matanuska Electric Association.
