Chamois Power Plant to Close

The Chamois power power plant will be closed this coming fall. The decision comes after weeks of deliberation by the Central Electric Power Co-Op. Officials says there are six reasons they voted to close the Chamois plant this September. Increased rates from the EPA and higher railroad costs would make things financially difficult to keep the plant open.Central Electric Power Plant CEO, Donald Shaw, first saw numbers that alarmed him two months ago. Environmental regulations are the most costly factor. Shaw says it would cost $14 million over the next six years to meet the new requirements. Another financial challenge is with the coal delivery costs. Starting next year costs would go up 92 percent which equated to an extra $3 million. Chamois stands to lose $2.2 million out of the town. The school district may be hit the hardest; with more than $150,00 cut in property taxes.