OCR Text |
Show fAPA rules against UP&L Earlier this week the Western Area iwer Administration (WAPA) nied Utah Power and Light's' re-est re-est that it be included as a reference customer," which would ow UP&L a portion of hydro-electric wer being generated at Glen Canyon im and Flaming Gorge. The UP&L request was made in half of the customers they serve, w UP&L claims helped to build ose dams with their tax money. P&L says they could significantly duce electricity rates if they were lowed to purchase a portion of the intensive in-tensive power. For 77 years there has been a clause federal statutes which reserves deral hydropower for publicly own-J own-J utilities. About 30 Utah cities in-sted in-sted in the hyrdopower plants years 'owhen electricity generated from iei" as expensive. They did it as an vtment, and now that the invest-'enl invest-'enl has paid off they feel thev have the right to benefit from it. UP&L contends it was all taxpayers who invested in the plants. They claim private utilities, like themselves, are being unfairly denied. Vernal, Naples, and Uintah County have all joined in UP&L's fight by signing a document which allows UP&L to fight for them. Most residents of Uintah County are served by UP&L. More than 80 cities have endorsed UP&L's position. The 40 cities with "preference standing" stan-ding" have united against the UP&L: claim. Both sides have said they will go to court if necessary. The WAPA ruling this week gives details how they intend to allocate the hydropower. The WAPA has also established a time-table for public hearings about the marketing plan. A public hearing will be held in Salt Lake City on Sept. 7 for the purpose of gathering information. ' Tf |