SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — Officials in northeastern Nebraska’s South Sioux City say a proposed five-megawatt natural gas power plant could be operating as early as the end of 2018.

The project would be the latest of several recent moves by the city to diversify its public energy portfolio and keep electricity rates low.

The city plans to place the single-story, 50-by-80-foot structure in the Roth Industrial Park. City Administrator Lance Hedquist says once completed, the plant would use natural gas purchased from MidAmerican Energy or Northern Natural Gas pipelines to generate electricity.

The City Council will vote Monday on two items related to the project: an agreement for soil testing at the proposed site and an ad for bids on the proposed $5 million natural gas plant.