The Colorado Springs Utilities Board is looking for about 10 people sit on a volunteer citizen task force that will help develop a planned study of decommissioning and removing Utilities’ downtown Martin Drake Power Plant.

The task force will work with the Utilities board, Utilities’ personnel and an outside manager to develop a request for proposal for the study.

Task force members will work up to 20 hours per week, including a minimum of six to eight meetings, for three to four months next year.

The future of the power plant has become the subject of intense debate among council members, Mayor Steve Bach and community members. Council recently approved a 2013 Utilities budget that includes $73.5 million to continue to install an emissions control technology at the coal-fired power plant, despite calls for a timeout on the project until the decommissioning study is completed.

According to the Utilities application, task force members must have at least one of the following characteristics: “The ability to be objective in assessing the various impacts of the project, some interest and/or awareness of power generation facilities and replacement power alternatives, an understanding of rate payer and community issues and impacts, and familiarity with financial and economic analysis and impacts.”

To apply, contact Marty Devine Sletta, at 719-385-5453, or via email at mdevine@springsgov.com. Applications must be received by December 10.—Contact John Schroyer: 476-4825Twitter: @JohnschroyerFacebook: Gazette John Schroyer