Learn more about the transmission line project
MEA needs your input.
As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring our members have safe, reliable, sustainable, and economical electricity, MEA is planning to build a new transmission line from Eklutna to either the Herning or Cottle substation in Wasilla.
This website is designed to help you keep informed about this important project.
MEA has scheduled three public events to provide us with the chance to hear directly from you. Please plan on attending one or more of these public events. You can also submit comments to us directly through this website. Click the COMMENTS tab for more information.
MEA contracted with Dryden & LaRue, Inc. to conduct the following transmission line routing studies:
- Eklutna Generation Station to Hospital Substation – Construction of a new double circuit transmission line from the switch yard located adjacent to the EGS to MEA’s Hospital Substation near the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
- Hospital Substation to Herning Substation – Construction of a new double circuit transmission line from MEA’s Hospital Substation near the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center to the Herning Substation located on South Denali Street just east of Knik-Goose Bay Road.
The study reviewed the viability of the following five routing options for the Hospital Substation to Herning Substation portion of the project:
- Northern Route Option (Bogard Road)
- Central Route Option (Palmer-Wasilla Highway)
- Southern Route Option
- Alaska Railroad Route Option
- Parks Highway Route Option (proposed optimal route)
The following rating criteria factored into the analysis of routing options:
- Cost
- Ability to strengthen MEA’s transmission grid
- Minimize public controversy
- Schedule to energize
In analyzing each routing option two threshold questions were asked:
- Is the option physically feasible?
- Is the option efficient, effective and economic?
All of the complete Dryden & LaRue, Inc. route studies are available for review here.