An introduction of board members running for election and re-election gave members an opportunity to put a face with a name, before elections came to a close.

Following that, awards were presented for HEA's 2009 safety poster contest, scholarships and the upcoming youth rally in Idaho.

"Clean opinion" and "no adjustments" were the positive feedback from a financial report conducted by Mikunda, Cottrell and Co. Auditors.

Debnam's address to the membership began with a sobering moment, a dedication of the meeting to the late Shane Harrington, who worked as a lineman for HEA and died in October 2008.

Rates and how the co-op is preparing for the future topped comments by General Manager Brad Janorschke.

"It was a tough winter," Janorschke said, referring to the "unprecedented" increase in rates that was driven by the rising cost of fuel.

Looking toward the future, the general manager said challenges now facing HEA include finding new resources for power generation, an aging infrastructure, the unknown impact of carbon tax (tax placed on emissions of greenhouse gases) and new or yet-to-be-discovered technology. In the 20-50 year range, HEA is looking at natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and wind generation, while in the short, five-year range, "building assets that will bridge us to the long-term."

A hypothetical energy mix for HEA by the year 2015, according to Janorschke, would be 78 percent natural gas, 6 percent small hydro projects, 10 percent wind and 6 percent Bradley Lake.

When the floor was opened to questions, however, rates and the Healy Clean Coal Project were the two topics drawing attention.

Why had HEA not done more to help co-op members struggling with the rate hike, Janorschke was asked. He explained the increase was due to rising natural gas costs to Chugach Electric, from whom HEA purchases power. He pointed to oversight by Regulatory Commission of Alaska, RCA. He also noted the recent distribution of capital credits, a total of $2 million distributed to the membership beginning in April. It resulted in checks of approximately $65 to individuals who had been members in 1985 and 2008, $25 for 1985 members and $40 for 2008 members.

Questions about the Healy coal project raised the greatest concern from the audience. Mike O'Meara, spokesperson for the HEA members' forum, introduced a motion to prohibit the board from signing a binding agreement on the project "until all Clean Air Act permits are either secured or definitively determined to not be required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

Applause following an explanation that the motion, if it passed, would be advisory only and that members elect the board but do not direct the board signaled the over-riding sentiment of those in attendance.

"Coal, coal, coal -- our best choice," said one person, to the accompaniment of cheers and applause.

Finally called to a vote, the motion's defeat was close, however, with 80 votes opposed and 71 votes in favor.

Election of new officers saw Alan Bute winning the race for District 1, Kenai, Nikiski and parts of the Kasilof and Soldotna area. Ed Oberts was the top vote-getter for District 2, Soldotna, Sterling and Kasilof areas. In District 3, Jim Levine received 688 votes, incumbent Don Seelinger received 530, Pete Roberts received 436, Doug Stark received 273 and Steve Franklin received 65.

"I'm pretty excited. It's sort of overwhelming, but pretty cool," said Levine, who was happy to see an emphasis at the meeting of "my core belief was that we should be getting more into the local renewable scene, energy production." He also was encouraged by motions like O'Meara's being made from the floor and the discussion it sparked.

"People are realizing that they're a member," Levine said. "This is a cooperative and we're the members."

The most immediate winner of the evening was St. Peter United Methodist Church of Ninilchik, winner of a year's worth or 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

On Tuesday during a regular meeting, the board re-elected Debbie Debnam as president, Tim Evans as vice president, David Thomas as secretary-treasurer and Levine as deputy secretary.

Prior to the regular meeting, the board, meeting as AEEC, the generation arm of HEA, directed the general manager to cancel the RFP for a power supply study and transition the cooperative away from involvement in the Healy Clean Coal Project.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.