Dive Summary:
- Minneapolis Ward 5 Councilman Don Samuels says the city can own and operate its own utilities at a cheaper cost to residents.
- The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association's Jack Kegel says the project would have to be put to vote, and establishing the value of the property involved—which includes Xcel and Center Point Energy Utility poles, wires, substations and piping—which could reach into the billions.
- Not everyone is onboard—Todd Klingel of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce says customers in the city could be hit with extra investment and upgrade costs.
From the article:
... "With the profit motive or profit factor removed the city would be able to keep prices down," Ward 5 Councilman Don Samuels said.
Samuels says Minneapolis is considering setting up city owned and operated energy utilities.
"We're looking at this with caution, with limited risk," Samuels said. ...
