Power plant issue to be decided today

The Vote Yes for Local Power Supply Committee has election-day canvassing scheduled today at some of the high-turnout polling places.

Committee Chairman Matt Morrow said volunteers are distributing information during the highest voter-traffic periods – early morning and late afternoon. Canvassing locations include Trinity Lutheran Church, 1415 S. Holland Ave.; Springfield Fire Station No. 1, 720 E. Grand St.; and Asbury United Methodist Church, 1500 S. Campbell Ave.

At stake in today’s election: Southwest 2, a $697.1 million coal-fired power plant. The plant, an addition to the existing Southwest Power Station, would supply 300 megawatts of additional energy to the city.

Proponents say the plant is the lowest-cost, most reliable option available. Opponents contend that the use of coal would create additional environmental problems, and they say the local plant is not the least-expensive way to go.

If the plant is approved, a rate increase would take effect in October 2010; the average residential monthly utility bill would increase $9.63, according to CU estimates.

According to an sbj.net poll, 61 percent of respondents are in favor of building the new plant; today’s ballot issue needs a simple majority to pass.