OCR Text |
Show By Jock Wallis 1 Last week's approval of the White River Shale Oil Corporation's plans and the White River Dam endangered fish decision were two milestones in the energy development of the Vernal area. Also last week the Federal court agreed to lift the injunction on title claims and start the terms on the two federal leases known as U-a and U-b prototype oil shale leases held by White River Shale Oil Corporation. All this means the White River will spend at least $100 million in the next year and a half developing its federal oil shale tract. If all goes well $1 billion will be spent on a demonstration plant capable of producing 15,000 to 16,000 barrels of oil per day. And if the demonstration proves successful, another $3 to $5 billion will be spent to build a 106,000 barrel a day oil shale complex to be in operation in the 1990s. This final operation would require around 5,000 construction workers and be a much larger earth moving process than the Kennecott Bingham Canyon open pit mine, the largest of its kind. The White River Dam is essential to the White River oil shale project because it is within a mile or two of the federal tract and is the only suitable source of water in the area. Utah has had the money available to build the White River Dam since 1978, but has been held up because of the jeopardy statement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning endangered en-dangered species of fish in the White River. After two years of study, the F&WS has decided that a dam could be built without jeopardizing the endangered en-dangered fish. The delay on the White River Dam has increased the original cost estimate of around $18 million to probably $30 million. The dam will include a hydro power plant capable of generating 15 megawatts of power. Other oil shale ventures besides White River that will need White River water are the Paraho Project, a proposed 42,500 barrel a day operation and the Syntana-Utah Project, a 57,000 barrel a day proposal just north of U-a and U-b. Also to the west is the Tosco oil shale project on state lands proposed to be a 45,000 barrel a day operation by 1989. The impact on Vernal if these four oil shale projects materialize is mind boggling. We dare not let our imaginations run away with the magnitude of the growth and community com-munity problems this much industry will bring to our area. We are aeainst expensive delays, but sometimes these delays may prove to be blessings in disguise. If only the White River oil shale project gets started, this will give us plenty of impact. We are certain Tosco will spend more money on its Sand Wash project and Geokinetics who is already commercially com-mercially producing oil from shale on a small scale 70 miles south of Vernal is certain to expand. With the White River shale project announcements along with encouraging en-couraging development for the White River Dam, it looks like it's back on the fast track for the local economy. The Bonanza Power Plant will get into full employment this summer and this will also attract many workers and businesses to the area. All this means that important decisions affecting the future welfare of the community must be solved. Decisions concerning future growth patterns, governmental entities, roads and highways, services and security must be faced. The beginning groundwork ground-work will probably determine how our area grows. It should not be done in haste without proper study and we should not wait until the growth gets out of hand and cannot be directed in an organized fashion. Strict zoning and building codes must be formulated early to assure organized growth and development. The county is finalizing its new master plan zoning ordinance and is adding another building inspector to its staff. The Vernal City and Uintah County have cooperated in establishing a joint planning office with a director to map out plans for future growth for the area for almost a year and has provided vital information to local and state planning agencies concerning the local growth. With the eyes of the state on the local growth potential, we expect to see many plans for change, some good and some of doubtful consequences. Along with growth will come more competition, greater opportunities and changing life-styles. With the announcements an-nouncements last week we are sure these changes are closer than many of us realize. |