Commissioners authorize chairman to sign Powder River Energy commercial application, easement for airport power project

Weston County commissioners on June 3 authorized the chairman to sign a commercial application for membership, an electric service agreement and a right-of-way easement with Powder River Energy to bring power to new facilities at the county airport.

County staff said the easement and associated fees were paid from an existing grant and that the easement must also be signed by the city of Newcastle before the county sends the package with the check. Commissioners had previously reviewed the project and the related funding; at the meeting staff confirmed that the easement documents and payment were part of the original grant paperwork.

During discussion, a commissioner noted the need to speak with a county staffer (Tim) by phone to verify inclusion in the grant documents; staff confirmed the easement and funding were included. The chair repeated the motion to authorize his signature on the commercial application, electric service agreement and right-of-way documents for the airport project. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

Ending: Once the city of Newcastle signs the easement and the county chairman signs, staff said the county will send the documents with the payment to Powder River Energy and complete the contractual steps for power service to the airport project.