LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The Director of Lafayette Utilities System, Jeff Stewart is hosting a public meeting to discuss a proposed $400 million project.

The proposed project would see the tearing down of the Bonin Plant on Walker Road and rebuild a newer plant in its place.

"This is what's going to get us to where we are today; demolish what is there, build a new unit, and have it online by 2028," said Stewart.

The director explains that tearing down and rebuilding a new plant is the lowest cost option they evaluated.

"It's going to be here in Lafayette. In case of emergencies whether it be high heat, freezing cold or hurricane winds we will at least have generators at least in Lafayette that support the electric grid in Lafayette," Stewart explained. "Regardless of what happens to the rest of the transmission system in South Louisiana and Central Louisiana that generally we all rely on."

The proposed newly rebuilt station, Bonin number four, will be natural gas fired.  LUS says there are two pipelines already in place to service the site, even though electricity is no longer being generated there.

"It's a benefit to the customers of Lafayette. It's going to benefit the grid in general, but our focus is on Lafayette," Stewart said.

The estimated $400 million project cost is up for final adoption by the city council next week.

"We want to get this project in front of as many people so they can understand it, ask questions, and get feedback," Stewart added.

The next public meeting will be at the South Regional Library on Johnston Street, on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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