Should Energy Utilities be Run by the City?

With its franchise agreement set to expire in December, the Minneapolis City Council is considering measures to take-over the running of gas and electric utilities from Xcel Energy.

A public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. Following the hearing, the council will decide whether to approve the resolutions and send it to the ballot this November. The following is the potential ballot language, according to the hearing notice:

ELECTRIC

“Shall the City of Minneapolis be authorized to establish a municipal electric utility and to own, operate, construct, and extend electric and similar facilities and to purchase and acquire the property of any existing electrical public utility operating within the City of Minneapolis for the purpose of providing electrical and similar services?”

See the draft resolution for electric (pdf).

GAS

“Shall the City of Minneapolis be authorized to establish a municipal natural gas utility and to own, operate, construct, and extend natural gas and similar facilities and to purchase and acquire the property of any existing natural gas public utility operating within the City of Minneapolis for the purpose of providing natural gas and providing similar services?”

See the draft resolution for gas (pdf).

Do you think the city should run the town's energy? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.