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costs, risk, and potential environmental impacts,the council was less than supportive. Councilmember Paul Motin questioned whether rates would be comparable with Connexus and suggested that the city would be better off selling ERMU. While not advocating for a sale, Mayor Klinzing felt that all alternatives must be considered. Councilmember and ERMU Commissioner Jerry Gumphrey noted the city still had nine years to figure out other alternatives. The special joint meeting was continued to July. At that time, with a very close vote, ERMU decided to abandon its interests in BSII. Commissioner John Dietz,who provided the swing vote, said in a Star News article: "I would rather take my chances negotiating [power] contracts." Since construction on the Big Stone facility had not begun, many felt the investment was based on "a hope and a prayer," and given the amount of money involved and the risk to the city's bond rating, it was too great a risk. 146 Not long after ERMU decided not to invest in BSII, other major investors pulled out of the project and the plant was not built. This confirmed ERMU's hesitations and reassured all that it had made the right decision.147 Midwest Municipal Transmission Group and Transmission Investment In May 2006, ERMU joined the Midwest Municipal Transmission Group (MMTG) to explore the potential of obtaining ownership of the regional transmission system, which essentially works as a hedge to mitigate volatility in transmission costs. This non-partisan/not-for-profit organization was created to provide service and assistance to the membership for matters relating to the planning, construction, ownership/investment, operation and maintenance, and administration and management of electric transmission and/or power generation facilities. The action to join MMTG represented ERMU's decision to investigate a change in direction toward ownership instead of renting. This turned out to be a good long-tern decision. ERMU remains a member of MMTG at the time of this writing, and through proactive participation, represents their investment and their customers. In 2013, Troy Adams served as the president of the MMTG's board of directors. In February 2007, ERMU entered into an agreement with the Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA) to participate in the CAPX2020 Brookings-Twin Cities Transmission Project. In March 2011, the commission and the city council approved resolutions authorizing ERMU's participation in the project for an amount not to exceed $7,140,953. ERMU stood to gain more from this project than stabilized transmission rates. It would also receive a portion of the tariffs paid for the transmission line. From these tariffs, more than$5 million in revenues could be expected annually after the bonds were repaid.148 146 Ibid. 147 Joni Astrup,"Council Concurs with Utilities'Big Stone Vote,"Elk River Star News,July 17,2009. 141"Elk River Looking to Increase Ownership in Transmission Line,"Elk River Star News,March 9,2011;ERMU Commission Resolutions,March 14,2011,Elk River website,http://webI-elkr.ci.elk-river.mn.us/WebLink8/ DocView.aspx?id=100057&dbid=l (accessed March 18,2014);"Elk River Votes to Increase Investment,"ElkRiver Star News,March 16,2011. 41