Post by Logan on Mar 5, 2016 16:38:33 GMT -6
Spokane’s push to convert to natural gas-powered trucks hits a speed bump
The conversion of Spokane’s solid waste fleet from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas met some resistance in City Hall this week, as City Council President Ben Stuckart said the “emergency” request for $2.8 million to buy new trucks stemmed from unrealistic promises he and other city leaders made regarding utility rate increases.
“If we can’t afford, under this current rate structure, to buy this product we need, then we need to re-evaluate it,” Stuckart said. “We all made this promise, and I’m not just blaming this on (Spokane Mayor David) Condon. Maybe we need to evaluate the promise.”
The “promise” to hold the annual utility rate increase at 2.9 percent led to Stuckart opposing this week’s funding request for 12 new trucks. About $1.7 million was budgeted for new trucks in November, but the department asked the City Council for permission to take money from its reserves to pay for the $4.5 million purchase.
The request was approved by a 5-2 vote. Stuckart and Councilwoman Candace Mumm voted against the request, which is called an “emergency” because it was not in the annual budget approved by council late last year.
Read more: www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/04/spokanes-push-to-convert-to-natural-gas-powered-tr/
The conversion of Spokane’s solid waste fleet from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas met some resistance in City Hall this week, as City Council President Ben Stuckart said the “emergency” request for $2.8 million to buy new trucks stemmed from unrealistic promises he and other city leaders made regarding utility rate increases.
“If we can’t afford, under this current rate structure, to buy this product we need, then we need to re-evaluate it,” Stuckart said. “We all made this promise, and I’m not just blaming this on (Spokane Mayor David) Condon. Maybe we need to evaluate the promise.”
The “promise” to hold the annual utility rate increase at 2.9 percent led to Stuckart opposing this week’s funding request for 12 new trucks. About $1.7 million was budgeted for new trucks in November, but the department asked the City Council for permission to take money from its reserves to pay for the $4.5 million purchase.
The request was approved by a 5-2 vote. Stuckart and Councilwoman Candace Mumm voted against the request, which is called an “emergency” because it was not in the annual budget approved by council late last year.
Read more: www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/04/spokanes-push-to-convert-to-natural-gas-powered-tr/