California.

Culver City may explore the creation of a municipal utility. This month, the City Council voted 3 to 2 to move forward with an initial study to examine whether the idea makes sense. A $24,000 contract for the study was awarded to R.W. Beck & Associates, a consulting firm.

At this point it is "still just an idea deciding whether or not to hatch," said Ken Mellor, a partner and senior director of consulting at R.W. Beck's Sacramento office.

The "pre-feasibility" study will examine items such as the power supplies available, the approximate size of potential power facilities. and the range of possible costs for establishing a municipal utility, Mellor said.

City officials want to know, "Is this thing worth pursuing and does it stand a chance?" Mellor said.

A Culver City official said some council members want to explore possible ideas for raising additional revenue, following recent diversions of local property taxes by the state.

Officials at Southern California Edison Co., the private utility that serves Culver City, have said they will vigorously oppose any public power effort.

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