In a three to one vote, the Chama Village Council voted to sign a purchase power agreement, subject to public approval, with Clear Energy Solar New Mexico for construction and operation of a 196 kWh solar farm at the village wastewater plant. The 20-year contract has a set price of .074 cents per kWh.
   âThe solar plant at the waste water treatment plant will not cost us anything except internet,â said Mayor Billy Elbrock. âAnd save us $260,000 over the life of the contract.â
   Vince Campione, of Clean Energy Solar, said the project was âstate of the artâ and could be finished by September. The ability to finance the project comes through a Federal Income Tax Credit where investors can buy into renewable energy enterprises and write off nearly 100 percent of their investment in the first year.
   In a vote that goes against the stateâs procurement policy, the Chama Village Council voted unanimously at its Dec. 23 regular council meeting to approve a $500 per day, six-month contract extension to Mountain Pacific Meter Tech Service, to maintain operation of the Villageâs water plant.
   Village Councilor Ernest Vigil supported the vote over concern for the villageâs recent trouble with water quality.
   âIn my opinion we must go with the contract, for the protection of the citizens of Chama and anybody passing through,â Vigil said. âI donât want to go back to the days when we couldnât even get water.â