Norco pact is raising a stink

Several community residents have questioned the city's decision to enter into an one-year agreement without competitive bidding to do a feasibility report on the plan to build a manure-to-energy plant.

The residents voiced their concerns about the city's decision to enter into an exclusive agreement with Chevron Energy Solutions to do the study.

"Too many times we make hasty decisions and then revisit them several years later," said resident Roy Hungerford during Wednesday night's council meeting.

Resident Dave Henderson noted the city in the past has been shortchanged by not going through competitive budding for projects such as this one.

Chevron Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Chevron USA, has agreed to pay for the report, which could have cost the city in excess of $70,000. Once the report is completed, the city would be under no obligation to award Chevron the contract to build the plant, according to city officials.

Mayor Frank Hall assured residents that they were agreeing to a study that would provide the city with information about alternatives.

As part of the agreement, the city gave Chevron one year exclusive rights to conduct the study, analyze the results and negotiate an agreement for design and construction of the facility, said Jeff Allred, Norco city manager.

For months, the city has been meeting with Western Municipal Water District, operator of the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority, and Chevron about the energy-to-waste plant, Allred said.

The plant would generate electricity to power wastewater treatment which in turn could reduce costs to residents and businesses, Allred said.

The plant would also establish a regional outlet for manure disposal.

In June, the council adopted its "Manure Management Strategy" in response to deficiencies in its system for preventing manure from being washed into storm drains and waterways.

Allred said developing such a plant would help the city meet the goals of the management study.

In conducting its feasibility study, Chevron would look at different technologies and costs of a plant, Allred said.

It would also prepare a financial report about the costs and benefits to the city, potential grants as well as the operation of the plant, he said.

"It just seems there's just not anyone out there with this amount of success and capability of helping us with this study," said Councilwoman Kathy Azevedo.

This is not the first time the city has considered the option of a manure-to-energy plant. In 2003, it contracted BioContractos, Inc. to do a feasibility study. In 2004, the city reviewed the study and decided it was not feasible, said Bill Thompson, director of public works.

If the city does agree to go with Chevron, the facility would be on the grounds of the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority sewage treatment plant.

With the approval, Chevron will conduct the study over a period of 90 days.