The Truckee Donner Utility
District wants to enter a 50 year contract with a
Utah
company that burns coal to generate electricity. That would ensure a low price, but the
district must act quickly.
California
climate change laws take effect on January 1st,
prohibiting long term deals with coal power.
District manager Peter Holzmeister supports green energy but says the
new law forces the conversion too quickly.
It’s a matter of having a practical, workable, power
supply that keeps the lights on all the time … and then having the opportunity
to go out and buy renewable power on top of that.
Holzmeister adds that if the
district declines the long term coal agreement, electricity rates will increase
by as much as 25 percent by 2009.
Despite this, many
Truckee
residents have voiced disdain for coal and strong
support for the development of renewable power. The district’s board of directors is scheduled
to make a decision Wednesday evening.
Brian Bahouth KXJZ News.