Energy provider change possible

• By EMILY HOLDEN
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jun 25, 2009 - Page: 4B

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PLAQUEMINE — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday authorized Mayor Mark “Tony” Gulotta to notify the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority that the city may choose to opt out of its agreement with the cooperative for next year.

Gulotta said Plaquemine will remain a LEPA member, but it may purchase energy from a different supplier next year.

He said energy customers are spending less this summer because LEPA was able to buy 50 percent of the city’s energy at a locked-in, relatively low price.

“Overall, the bills this summer are going to be a lot cheaper,” Gulotta said. He said the city’s wholesale cost for energy is 60 percent lower than last summer.

Selectman Oscar Mellion said he wants residents to consider weather-proofing their homes.

Gulotta said the city will not disconnect electricity this week — during a heat wave usually not felt until August.

“I want the public to know that this table has done everything it can and is doing everything it can to bring back those cheaper prices to our consumers,” Mellion said.

In other business, the board spoke with a representative from the U.S. Census Bureau and discussed sewer inspections and speed bumps.

Partnership Specialist Lorita Frank said residents will receive census forms on April 1. Several Board members expressed concern that the city may not have been counted correctly during the 2000 census.

Gulotta said he would like to hire a full-time employee to oversee census activities.

The city has conducted about 30 percent of the video sewer inspections necessary before beginning major road construction. Gulotta said he was surprised by the good condition of the sewer system.

Gulotta said he has received requests for speed bumps at 12 locations. He said he wants the board to develop criteria for installing speed bumps.

Gulotta asked Police Chief Orian Gulotta to station officers in high-traffic areas to issue speeding tickets.