City Council set to enter into power sales contract

PLAQUEMINE – The City of Plaquemine Board of Selectmen approved a notice of intention to enter into a power sales contract with the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority relative to a source of electric energy and power for the city's electric transmission and distribution system at a special meeting Wednesday evening.

"It is just an intent to show that we have an interest in buying into this contract," Mayor Pro-Tem Oscar Mellion said.

The contract will provide power to the city's new power plant.

"It is time," Mellion said. "We have been working on it for about 12 years."

In other news, the board heard from Roberto Marcedo concerning the progress of a parish-wide program to repair homes that were damaged by Hurricane Gustav.

The Parish of Iberville received a $1 million grant from the Louisiana Housing Corporation for the repairs. Marcedo said $15,000 is the most that can be spent on each house and there has already been 121 applicants.

Bids were taken April 17 and 13 more homes are set for bids May 8.

"Contractors are eager to get to work," Marcedo said. "It is going to be a long process but it is a start."