The town hall doors opened before the meeting ended. Two stacks of cards sat on the table, one blue and one green. Utility manager Ana had just said the power bill might change.
Last week, the EPA announced a repeal of most 2024 greenhouse-gas rules for coal and gas power plants. It also proposed removing the rest. The agency said the change could lower costs for power companies. News reports said health and air concerns remained part of the fight.
Ana's town ran one small gas plant. The plant kept the lights on during cold nights. It also sat near homes on the east side, where people had asked for cleaner air and more clear reports.
People on both sides had brought bills. Some showed a hard month. Others showed the cost of old repairs. Ana wrote each number on the board. No number gave her the full answer.
'Our families can't take another bill jump,' said Mark, who owned the corner store. 'If the plant has to buy new tools, we may all pay for it.'
Lena, who lived near the plant, held the blue card. 'A lower bill matters,' she said. 'So does the air my grandchildren breathe when they play outside.'
Ana placed both cards beside the town seal. Keeping the rules could push the utility to spend more now. Loosening them could keep the plant's costs down, but it could leave neighbors asking what price the town would pay later.
The mayor said the town had one vote before the next contract. The choice could guide the utility while the larger rule fight went on.
Mark reached for the green card. Lena reached for the blue one. Both hands stopped above the table.
Ana lifted the paper ballot box. 'We need one answer,' she said.
The room went quiet. Two cards waited under the town seal.