Last week in this space, we asked the city to get a reality check on the idea to give Puget Sound Energy the gate while creating a new city-owned and operated electric utility.
The council voted 5-2 Tuesday to spend nearly $100,000 for a consultant report on the idea, however.
Part of its explanation for doing so echoed one of the latest new reasons for the study given by proponents for a Bainbridge-based electric company.
Doing the spendy analysis, they said, would give city officials valuable information to have in hand when the opportunity comes in six years to again negotiate the city’s franchise agreement with PSE.
The reasoning: Even if a city-run power company is never approved by voters, the money on the study won’t be wasted because the information will be useful down the road.
Let’s set aside our skepticism, for now, on the shelf life of the information gathered for this study.
Instead, let’s offer our biggest takeaway from Tuesday’s talk before the council: what the study won’t do when it’s finished.
First, a few comments from those who signed a new petition against the consultant contract:
“We don’t need to spend $100,000 to get information we already know — that a switch to municipal power will take several years to occur, produce uncertain results, and cost tens of millions of dollars (including a big premium to PSE).”
“Sounds like an expensive boondoggle with less than zero fiduciary benefit to residents.”
“It is a foolish idea.”
“I would rather spend money on bike lanes, traffic safety, traffic improvements and a new police station.”
“If COBI manages this, our carbon footprint will increase because we will be using kerosene lamps.”
“COBI running its own utility business is a terrible idea! I formerly worked in the energy production and control business. It is complex business and no place for amateurs. If Bainbridge Island is going to go down this path, let us go all out and raise our own army, start our own university, maybe build our own rail system, etc. etc. We can do it all!”
Our takeaway?
Minds have been set on this proposal, both for and against, and a study will do little to remove the solid skepticism that exists among many islanders.
