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Show iifiin S(BCis KMir Pgdomm By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL - A declaratory declara-tory order designed to speed up action in Bountiful's attempt at-tempt to obtain a 2,500 kilowatt substation owned by Utah Power and Light in Weber Canyon has been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. THE UP&L generating station sta-tion is located about one mile up Weber Canyon. "It's a small plant as generating plants go," said City Manager Grant Petersen. Peter-sen. "But it would provide a limited amount of power very inexpensively and every little bit of available power helps." HE SAID the city filed for the right (license) to take over the plant shortly after UP&L's 50-year franchise expired ex-pired June 30, 1974. "But it has taken until now to get action from the federal agency," he said. "The city recently filed for the declaratory declara-tory judgment seeking an early decision." CITY ATTORNEY Layne B. Forbes said the city has filed for the license with the FERC in Washington, D.C., in hopes of being able to take over operation of the 68-year-old hydroelectric plant. Meanwhile, UP&L.con-tinues UP&L.con-tinues to operate the plant. THE DECLARATORY order was filed under the 1920 Federal Power Act which enables preference .agencies states and municipalities to apply for licenses when they come up for renewal. But there appears there will be a battle over the existing power plant and its facilities. Also, there could be a number of similar private power projects "up for grabs" under the 1920 Federal Power Act, according to Attorney Forbes. FOR EXAMPLE, Santa Clara, Calif., is also attempting attempt-ing to obtain a declaratory judgment on the preferential treatment issue. And as a result, Bountiful has joined Santa Clara in the fight by hiring the same attorney at-torney former Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall. MR. PETERSEN said the city has approved $1,700 to help pay attorney fees. "Several small private plants that were granted 50-year 50-year franchise leases under the 1920 act have expired and these licenses will be available availa-ble for renewal either to the original franchise holder or other city or state entities," it was explained. THE UP4L plant considered con-sidered by Bountiful was built by the Utah Light and Rail way Company to p: power to Union !, Railroad. It was purch 1940 by UP&L and tht was increased from kilowatts to 3,465 Mini |