Klamath Falls, Ore. – ‘Klamath Independent Public Power’, or ‘K.I.P.P.’ is circulating petitions to form a ‘Public Utility District’, or ‘P.U.D.’ in Klamath County.
K.I.P.P. orgnizer Art Martin hopes to get 700 signatures to place an issue calling for a P.U.D. feasibility study on the May ballot in 2017.
But, Pacific Power’s Todd Andres says they’re not for sale – and will strongly oppose the effort…
“We have no desire to leave this community. We will fight for the rights to stay in this community, and we look forward to servicing this community for a very, very long time.”
“The key to us is really local control.” Says Art Martin. “And if it can work financially, the benefit to local control really makes a P.U.D. a no-brainer for Oregon communities.”
The northern half of Klamath County is already served by the Mid-State Electric Cooperative, a P.U.D. based in La Pine.
The city of Klamath Falls tabled efforts to create a Municipal Utility District, or M.U.D., in January of 2014.
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