MEA Board Election Results Are In

The Matanuska Electric Association, or MEA, Board of Directors election results have been posted. Three candidates ran for the Susitna West District seat. Bill Kendig, the incumbent for the seat, was re-elected. Kendig has lived in the Mat-Su Valley for more than 30 years. He also serves as a Public Member on the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Mat-Su Borough Waterbody Setback Advisory Board. 

The Susitna West District seat covers the Upper Susitna Valley from Denali State Park down to Point MacKenzie. There are four District seats and three at-large seats on the Board. Board members can serve three consecutive four-year terms and then must take a two-year hiatus before serving again. 

Senior Co-op Communications Manager Jennifer Castro says the Board’s focus is to maintain the financial health of the Co-op. MEA is a not-for-profit organization owned by its members. The goal is to provide reliable and affordable power to all the communities served.

The Board hears key metrics, outage activity, financials, and information about power delivery and supply from staff at their monthly meetings. The public is permitted to attend and testify at the meetings in person and online. 

Castro says the Board discussed priorities and strategic planning at the annual meeting in April. With the natural gas supply likely running out in 2028, short and long term solutions for gas and supply diversification are priority. The MEA Board is collaborating with the State and other railbelt utilities to help keep costs down and continue to provide affordable power to members. 

Castro says one important way that MEA members can help reduce power outages is to report hazard trees, even on private land. She says a clearing inspector will be sent to evaluate the tree and if it is a hazard to the line, it will be taken down free of charge. She says this has reduced the number of outages.

Past meeting minutes, agendas, and meeting registration are available on the MEA website.