At a commission meeting held on January 8, the City of Pittsburg asked commissioners to approve plans for a detailed analysis into creating a public power utility for Pittsburg.
Over the last two years, the City has been exploring different electricity options – not just public power, but any option that might improve reliability, stabilize costs and make Pittsburg a more attractive place for businesses.
Why? With the City’s electricity costs increasing at a rate that was unsustainable without introducing tax increases, businesses deterred from Pittsburg due to high electricity rates, and enquiries from citizens about frequent rate increases and the overall cost of electricity, it was clear that different options should be explored.
The City has met numerous times with the current provider, local stakeholders, large electricity users such as USD 250, Via Christi Hospital and Pittsburg State University, power suppliers, other communities in Kansas and potential partners. Referrals from these groups to additional stakeholders opened up multiple paths and different electricity options that were all explored. Based on the recommendation of local stakeholders, the City Commission and others, the City finally undertook an independent study into public power.
(Read more: City of Pittsburg)