With many people believing, wishing, and hoping that coal’s days are numbered, it’s time to think about something else.
“With Unit 4 burning coal, coal prices, if they go up too much more in the future, we need to be able to look at other fuel sources,” CWLP chief utility engineer Doug Brown told aldermen this week. “Natural gas is one of them.”
Citizen Erin Kirkpatrick reminded alderman of what the utility is supposed to be all about.
“As a municipal, non-profit utility, CWLP’s mission is not to create a profit or maximize revenues,” said Kirkpatrick. “CWLP exists to provide its customers, who are also its owners, long-term value in terms of affordable rates, energy reliability, and environmental stewardship.”
“We should not forget that coal, oil, and gas are all very heavily subsidized by the federal government,” said Cassandra Clark of Sustainable Springfield, “and for us to pretend it’s not actually more expensive is irresponsible it’s not about money it’s about health and survival. People don’t want to pay for cancer, and they don’t what to pay for gas releases or anything else. These things are expensive, and what for? We have a future to be living for.”
The council next week will consider a gas conversion study for $110,000.