Friday, May 24, 2013

USA, Oregon:

Klamath Falls Ponders Forming Electrical Utility District (kobi5.com)

(Courtesy City of Klamath Falls)
The city of Klamath Falls, located on a Known Geothermal Resource Area in southern Oregon, is taking a close look at getting into the electric utility business...but regional utility Pacific Power is strongly opposed to the idea.

Klamath Falls Mayor Todd Kellstrom thinks that forming a municipal utility district could be a 'twin win' situation for the city..."I wanted to look at possible revenue enhancement for our budget, as well as providing for the citizens of Klamath Falls, cheaper power rates."

But Pacific Power says they're ready for a long legal battle to prevent the city from getting into the electrical utility business.

"The city has a right to own and operate a utility.  We operate water, wastewater, and geothermal right now." The city has posted a website on the issue: www.kfallselectric.com.

The Oregon Institute of Technology, which is home to the renowned Geo-Heat Center, campus is located within the Klamath Falls City limits. It has been heated by the direct use of geothermal energy since 1964.

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