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Council approves electric‑generation feasibility study to explore municipal energy options
Summary
Council authorized a feasibility study (estimated $100K–$150K) to evaluate municipal electric generation options, regulatory requirements and potential funding or partnership opportunities; supporters said electricity capacity limits have constrained local economic development.
The City Council approved an electric‑generation feasibility study to explore options for municipal electricity generation, regulatory pathways and potential funding or partnership structures.
City Manager Nick Edwards and staff outlined the study’s proposed scope: regulatory and statutory review, high‑level cost estimates for varying scale options and identification of funding sources or development partners. Councilmembers raised staff capacity concerns given competing projects (ARPA closeouts, a forthcoming sales‑tax renewal) and asked whether the timing was appropriate. Supporters argued the study is timely because insufficient local power capacity has previously blocked economic opportunities.
Council approved the study by a 7–2 vote and directed staff to return with an RFP and schedule mindful of workload and ARPA deadlines. Staff estimated a budgeted placeholder in the use‑tax economic development fund of roughly $100,000–$150,000 for the study and said they would proceed through a standard RFP process.
Next steps: staff will prepare an RFP, define study scope and bring a recommendation on procurement and timetable back to council.
