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By Myrna Trauntvein

Times-News Correspondent

It may be wise for Nephi to purchase natural gas for the community through the Intermountain Municipal Gas Agency (IMGA).

Nephi, one of the municipal providers of a natural gas utility for customers of the city, is a member of the organization.

"Our current contract with Wasatch Energy expires in September 2003," said Randy McKnight, city administrator.

He said that natural gas, much like electricity, may be obtained through the member organization at better prices than could be obtained otherwise. That may be a wiser method than for a Juab County agency to try to obtain sufficient amounts of natural gas on their own.

UMPA, the member organization for public power to which Nephi belongs, obtains power for the city at rates which benefit all of the member cities, of which there are seven.

Council members have feared that the cost of natural gas, for city consumers, may more than double in the coming year.

McKnight said that a master natural gas agreement with IMGA and an interim agreement with Summit Energy, would allow the city to be part of the  purchase of wholesale natural gas.

"We need to have the council authorize the mayor, Chad Brough, to sign the master natural gas agreement with IMGA and its contract marketer, Summit Energy, to provide wholesale natural gas," said McKnight.

The agreement needs to be in place in order for the city to take advantage of any wholesale natural gas purchases that might be available.

Greg Rowley, council member, made the motion to authorize the signing of the document and all voted in favor.