| Tee ball and baseball season has begun in our Recreation program, and of course summer vacation begins. We are all excited about the arrival of summer and the fun and activities that the warm weather brings.
Sustaining favorable, low cost power contracts is a very important issue for this community. Our power contract tied to Hoover Dam is ending in 2017. This City Council is looking at ways to protect our rate structures into the future. We are hopeful that we will be able to renew that contract; however, we do not know to what extent. Our favorable contract with NV Energy will also be changing and the costs will increase. The current City Council and Staff needs to look at new opportunities to protect the lower utility rate structure that we all enjoy.
Recently we added into our Land Management Plan an area north of WAPA that would be dedicated to a geothermal project. This project is very different from conventional geothermal plants. It is a safe, low water user, and a renewable source of energy. It is projected that the cost for power production is much less than solar.
The City Council, with a 4 to 1 approval vote, gave staff the directive to begin the process of a joint development agreement. This will allow the City to explore the possibilities of a power agreement that will be a huge benefit and a possible solution down the road for power. Staff was also directed to look at other possible sites.
Boulder City will be known for green energy. I believe that our dedication to renewable energies will become one of the most important legacies that we leave our children. Our Energy Zone in the Eldorado Valley is something we can all be proud of in this community.
Visit Roger at http://www.bcnv.org/CityCouncil/Tobler.asp.
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