New coal shipment arrives

Willmar Municipal Utilities workers unload a shipment of coal Tuesday in the yard located between the railroad and the power plant. Willmar Utilities General Manager Wesley Hompe says the utility is now receiving satisfactory deliveries of coal from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The improved deliveries were reflected in a $146,686 payment made recently to Westmoreland Resources, Willmar Utilities’ coal supplier. Hompe reported the coal delivery update and the payment during the Municipal Utilities Commission’s Monday meeting. Hompe had said the utility’s goal is to stockpile 7,000 tons of coal for safe, adequate winter operation of the downtown power plant. Coal deliveries had been sporadic up until now.