FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) The Farmington City Council on Tuesday will consider whether to acquire 65 megawatts of electricity at a power plant in northwestern New Mexico that serves more than 2 million customers in the Southwest. The Farmington Daily Times reports that the proposed deal for the power at the San Juan Generating Station brings with it the promise of cheap electricity with no up-front cost, but could bring significant legacy costs when the plant closes.
Councilor Jason Sandel says the proposal is fool-hardy and adds that utilities in Colorado, California and Arizona are all divesting themselves of coal-fired production. Mayor Tommy Roberts says the city is facing a unique opportunity, because it's rare to have the opportunity to acquire more electric power generation without up-front costs.
