Transformer provided power to half of city in need of replacement

Earlier this week, the city council gave the electric department the go ahead to take steps toward acquiring a new electric sub station transformer. This new station would replace the city’s southern hub, which has been experiencing some trouble including worn parts, a deteriorated power factor and methane gas emissions.

Sidney’s electric superintendent, Mike Palmer, presented the issue to the council last month and returned to this week’s meeting with additional information.

The recommended maintenance costs to get the current station in better working order are almost $150,000, but these fix...