An aging transformer on Sturgeon Bay's west side is nearing the end of its useful life and will soon be replaced.
Sturgeon Bay Utilities General Manager Jim Stawicki says the transformer at the Industrial Substation on Yew Street -- one of four SBU substations -- is 1950s vintage and SBU officials have seen a steady deterioration in its capability over the past 10 to 12 years.
Stawicki says SBU tests its transformers every two years.
"We have a firm come in and it's very interesting testing," says Stawicki. "They do acoustic testing, temperature testing, they check the gases and the components of the gases within -- there's five or seven thousand gallons worth of oil in each of these transformers, so they test the gases that are generated so they know what's going on in the transformers."
SBU received six bids for the project. The low bid was from Compton & Greaves for $547,800. However, because the plant where the transformer would be manufactured is only about three years old, the Utility Commission is recommending the facility in Washington, Missouri be inspected before the purchase agreement is approved.
Commissioners are scheduled to take up the matter on Tuesday.
Stawicki says if all goes as planned they hope to install and commission the new transformer by November 2013.
