Commission denies WG&L revamp, discusses plant clean up - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

City Commissioner Bob Langstaff made a presentation this morning to his fellow commissioners to revamp the way Albany Water, Gas, & Light operates.

He believes the utility manager for WG&L should report to the city manager.  Langstaff also thinks the city should approve the annual budget for WG&L. 

Commissioners debated the matter and voted it down, with the only yes vote coming from Langstaff.

Now they've given the mayor two months to meet with WG&L.

WG&L is currently asking the city for $700,000 to start the clean up of a manufactured gas plant that is now obsolete.   

The long term financial planning committee, city commissioners and two WG&L board members, is meeting to discuss how to pay for the clean-up. 

Estimates run as high as $10 million.  

WG&L board members say they only have $5 million in their reserves, which is set aside for emergencies like hurricanes and tornadoes. 

They say the reserve fund should be at $16 million.

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