MEA Candidate Questions: Robert Seitz
The Matanuska Electric Association will be accepting paper ballots until 5 p.m. on April 25. Members may also vote electronically via their SmartHub accounts by the same deadline. Members who have not voted by mail or on-line will also have a chance to vote at the MEA Annual Meeting on April 26.
Here are answers from Robert Seitz, one of four candidates for the Eagle River District. Seitz, a 25 year MEA member, has worked for over 40 years as an electrical engineer on oil projects throughout Alaska. He has a long-standing interest in renewable and alternate energy sources, as well as energy storage systems. His candidate profile can be found here: https://www.mea.coop/2022elections
Robert Seitz, from his MEA candidate profile.
1. Why do you want to be a MEA Board member?
Since much of the effort to extend the amount of renewables which are attached to the Utility with the Renewable Portfolio Standards and the requirements of the Railbelt Relaibility Council will depend on the development of a plan or plans to enable progressing any of these efforts to a realizable possibility, I think that I have the skills and background that can help achieve the plans and choose the solutions which can work with the plans.
2. Are there particular projects or ideas you would champion as an MEA Board member? Are there any you would oppose?
I will champion the application of good and sound engineering practices to achieve goals set forth by the board and which attempt to achieve the intent of the Renewable Portfolio Standards Railbelt Reliablity Council as long as it can be accomplished by retaining reasonably low utility rates.
3. If you are elected, you would serve a three or four year term. What challenges and opportunities do you believe MEA will face in the next 3-4 years? What about the next decade?
The challenges will be to find appropriate ways to meet the demands of the Renewable Portfolio Standards and the Railbelt Reliability Council with sensible solutions, applied with good and proper engineering practices while keeping utility rates reasonable.
4. Do you support the passage and implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standards legislation (HB 301 and SB 179) proposed by Governor Dunleavy? Why or why not? What does MEA need to do to meet the goals for renewable power put forward in this legislation?
I sent in comments on both bills in which I indicated the schedule and percentages were far to aggressive without a plan in place that would make the goals achievable. I also find that the punitive penalties a less an incentive that a motivation. There should have been some kind of program put in place that would entice and encourage the utilities to make strong efforts to develop plans and have some vision of how such things might be achieved. I also took issue with the prohibition for nuclear reactors. I think microreactors are a very real solutions which can be applied to many parts of the Railbelt and other utilities.
5. The proposal for the creation of the Railbelt Reliability Council (RRC) was submitted to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska at the end of March. What potential problems or opportunities will participating in the RRC create for MEA?
As mentioned above in other points, there needs to be a plan or there will be nothing but problems. MEA needs to spend some time developing a plan; determine what solutions are most realistic and practical and then determine what cost and effort it will take to achieve these goals.
6. Recognizing that the MEA Board does not make the final decision on operational questions, such as the final routing of the controversial Pittman-to-Fishhook transmission project, what role do you think the MEA Board should play in the development of major infrastructure project like this that will have a long-term impact on the community?
I have a long and broad background as an electrical engineer in Alaska with many innovative solutions achieved in many different projects. I can bring these innovative ideas and strong experience to help develop ways to guide the way infrastructure projects can be approached to ensure they are palatable to all involved.
