July 12, 2021

Here is the latest news and information from your electric Co-op.

All Member Lobbies Return to Normal Business Hours in July

MEA offices that were previously closed or had limited hours due to COVID-19 safety guidelines fully reopened back to normal business hours as of Tuesday, July 6, 2021. This included the reopening of MEA's Palmer office lobby to members and the Eagle River office location returned to full business hours. MEA's Palmer, Wasilla, and Eagle River lobbies are now open to members Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, including office locations, please click here.

3Q: Base rates unchanged, COPA rate increases for first time in a year

Members will see a slight increase in overall rates in the third quarter of 2021 due to a rise in the Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) rate; the COPA rate primarily accounts for the cost of fuel and purchased power. This is the first COPA rate increase within the past year. Higher gas prices coupled with less energy sales, which is typical for the summer season, contributed to an increase in the COPA rate. A typical MEA member, consuming about 677 kWh per month of electricity, will see their overall monthly bill increase by about $4.03 or 2.79%. MEA's Board of Directors voted for no change in base rates (also known as the "energy charge") in the third quarter; overall, base rates have not increased in the past year and MEA continues to offer the lowest base rate in the Railbelt at $0.12453/kWh. The rate changes, effective July 1, 2021, are subject to approval by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). For more information on rates, please click here.

Member Committee Vacancies

Members who are interested in getting more involved with their electric co-op can apply to be on the member-led MEA Bylaw or Election Committees. The Election Committee helps oversee the annual membership election process including reviewing and verifying candidate eligibility, fulfilling election bylaw requirements, and ensuring a fair and transparent election for all members. MEA's Bylaw Committee works on reviewing the co-op bylaws and amendments. Both committees typically meet once a month September through May. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please fill out and submit the committee application (.pdf).

Summer Member Events

MEA is celebrating our members and communities this summer with a variety of fun events. Here are July's free events for members:

• Tasty Treat Wednesday in Chickaloon
  On Wednesday, July 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. we will have free ice cream for MEA Members provided by The Original Gourmet Ice Cream Bars, Inc. at the Chickaloon Community Center, MP 76, Glenn Hwy.
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• MEA Bear Paw Power Picnic
  Join MEA for our Bear Paw Power Picnic on Thursday, July 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at MEA's Eagle River Office located at 11623 Aurora St. Join us for free hot dogs as we celebrate our MEA members and Bear Paw 2021! Show us your power by dressing up as your favorite superhero and be entered to win a prize!
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• Live at Five - Summer Concert Series in Talkeetna
  Join MEA Friday, July 16 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for free music at Talkeetna Village Park (13563 E Main St.). We will have some giveaways for members and an evening of great festivities and fun.
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• MEA Kids Night at the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks
  On Friday, July 23rd at 6:00 p.m. join us at the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks game located at the Loretta French Sports Complex located at 18800 Old Glenn Highway. Tickets are not required for this event and entry is free for all members.
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Reminders about use of Power Line Easements‍

Many members have questions about utility easements (also known as the "rights of way" (ROW)) and often incorrectly assume the property is open to the public. We've added an additional page to our website to answer your frequently asked right of way questions. The most important thing to remember is that the ROW is not public land and landowners retain all rights of ownership of the ROWs with agreed year-round access to utilities. Learn more about power line easements by clicking here.

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