OBERLIN —  A company that supplies equipment to greenhouses all over the world wants to expand its plant in Oberlin’s Industrial Park, but is hesitating because of concerns about whether the city will be able to provide dependable power at an affordable price.

A proposal to build a 19,200-square-foot addition to the AgriNomix building at 300 Creekside Drive is pending before the Oberlin Planning Commission.

Company president Rob Lando said Friday that he will monitor a proposal before Oberlin City Council to back out of a plan to buy electricity from a proposed coal-fired plant on the Ohio River.

Council has until March 1 to pull out of 50-year commitment to American Municipal Power-Ohio.

The proposed new 1,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant would offer cleaner technology than is now used, but it is controversial because it would still burn coal, which contributes to global warming.

Two competing pieces of legislation have been introduced to Council: one to withdraw from the AMP-Ohio project and another to increase the city’s commitment to the new power plant from 9 megawatts per hour to 10 megawatts. Initially, Oberlin considered purchasing 13.3 megawatts.

Both proposals will get a second reading at tonight’s City Council meeting and a vote to pass one or the other is expected Feb. 19. Council meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

Lando said he doesn’t want to make any threats, but he said he is hesitant because of the power situation.

“We’re certainly considering this before we go ahead with our plans,” he said.

Lando said 23 people now work at the 33,000-square-foot plant, which has seen business grow 28 percent in 2006 and 23 percent last year. Hourly salaries range from $12 to $13 an hour to engineers and other professionals who earn $20 an hour or more.

He said he was unsure how many new employees might be added as a result of the planned expansion. 

Oberlin City Manager Eric Norenberg said he has been speaking with business owners such as Lando and is sensitive to their concerns.

Oberlin hopes to get answers on whether there are viable alternative energy sources by Feb. 11, the target date for a report to be delivered from consultant Concentric Energy Advisors.

Council President David Sonner said the concerns of business are being considered. There is no need for an immediate change because Oberlin will purchase power from the old Gorsuch coal-fired plant for at least five years, he said.

“Electricity is going to cost more anywhere in the country,” Sonner said. “Costs are going to go up whether we burn coal or egret feathers.”

Contact Cindy Leise at 653-6250 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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