Durango, Colo. (AP) The City of Durango is pulling the plug on green power because of problems with green - or money.

City Manager Ron LeBlanc recommended the city stop buying power from renewable energy sources when it became necessary to cut the 2009 budget by more than $500,000. The city council approved the budget, including his recommendation, earlier this month.

The La Plata electric association charges 80 cents more per 100 kilowatt hours for electricity from solar and wind power. LeBlanc says that adds $45,000 to the city’s annual electric bill.

Mark Pearson of the environmental group San Juan Citizens’ Alliance says he’s upset by the city’s decision but also thinks the electric cooperative charges too much for the green power.

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