City to Assess Supplemental Power Needs

   At Monday’s Gillette City Council workshop session there will be a public hearing to discuss an alternate strategy to serve Gillette’s supplemental power needs.  Public Information Officer for the City of Gillette Joe Lunne, says that currently power is provided through a contract with the Municipal Energy Association of Nebraska.  The contract with MEAN is set to expire in March of 2014 and the City of Gillette is currently exploring a natural gas fired Combustion Turbine Generator as an option.

   The 40 Mega Watt CT Generator with is available for sale from Black Hills Power in 2014.  Information provided by the City of Gillette says staff has been evaluating the possibility for potential cost savings to rate payers since 2011 and has hired a third party consultant to review an economic model provided by BHP.  The information also says a favorable cost savings through the ownership of the CT Generator is indicated as opposed to purchasing supplemental power in the future.

   After public comment on Monday evening, Lunne said the Gillette City Council will vote on staff’s recommendation at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on September 4, 2012. Lunne added, “The City is just really evaluating our options and the public meeting is being held to discuss that.”

The meeting will be held in the second floor community room at Gillette City Hall, August 27^th at 6:00 PM.