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Show Visit us on the World Wide Web http:www.ecprogress.com a 11 O Tuesday PacifiCorp ordered to cut rates by 12 Take a peak at the new playground equipment in Emery. See page 4A The LDS Annual Womens Conference begins April 29. Details on page 2A rmnm Doug Wright expresses his contempt for the modern ex- treme version of passing the buck and Paula Wellnitz has more good advice as usual. Idaho Senator Larry Craig has a word or two to say about the National Monument Public Participation Act and Jeff Harris, Executive Director of People for the USA, thinks Earth Day is a big scam. See pages 6A & 7A Gary Arrington is finally back with a little more Sports Chat See page 9B 5S 2' Castle Dale, Utah 99th Year - No. 16 April 20, 1999 rrmro z 50J Scout-O-Ram- a President and Chief Operating Officer. We presented an alternative PacifiCorp to reduce customer proposal that we believed was fair prices by 12 percent, or $85 million and reasonable for both1 customers ' annually. The order would reduce and shareholders. the monthly bill of a typical residenPacifiCorps proposal included a tial customer using 650 kilowatt $19 million annual rate reduction for customers and an authorized return hours per month by about $5.50. The price reduction is retroactive on equity of 11.25 percent. Our proposal preserved our longto March of 1997. PacifiCorp will be reterm retroactive commitment to Utah customto refund the required duction of $40 million through a ers for low prices and quality sercredit to customer bills. The refund vice, OBrien said, noting that over translates to about $30 for a typical the past 10 years, the company alresidential customer using 650 kilo- ready has: watt hours per month. Reduced prices 13 separate times for a total of 23.5 percent, repThe order on the companys general rate case also reduced the resenting $1.2 billion in savings on companys authorized return on eq- electricity bills for Utah customers. Absorbed inflation of 37 percent uity from 12.1 percent to 10.5 percent; implemented changes in the and reduced costs while managing way costs are allocated among the rapid growth in the state. If Utah six states with retail customers residential prices had followed the served by PacifiCorp and made other general economy, a typical residenadjustments. The total revenue re- tial monthly bill of $46 would be $64 duction for the company of $85 mil- today. Invested more than $2.5 billion lion annually represents approximately four percent of the in utility plant and equipment. PacifiCorp employs nearly 3,000 companys 1997 domestic electric retail revenues. employees in Utah with a payroll We are obviously disappointed amounting to $190 million annually with this order, said Richard and has granted some $4 million (Continued on page 2 A) OBrien, PacifiCorps Executive Vice On March 5 the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) ordered Cessation orders issued to Horizon Carbon County mining company failed to work within proper channels the state must evaluate the surface effects of underground mining before issuing an environmental permit, a process that often takes up to one year. Its unfortunate that Horizon Mining has not acted responsibly to the dual federal and state orders are to stop the illegal mining of federal coal only. This action wasnt taken lightly, knowing it would impact mine workers, explained Dick Manus, Field Manager in Price. We became aware that the company has been mining in this area and a joint inspection was conducted with the state to determine the extent of the problem. The federal mine plan approval process assures logical and maximum recovery of the coal resource extend their permit to the area of federal coal, said Lowell Braxton, Director of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Horizon has been Horizon Mining has illegally re- aware of the need for this permit for moved an estimated 32,000 tons of some time. The Bureau of Land Management coal from federal land without first issued the cessation order for minwhile the state permit process federal mine necessary obtaining ing on a federal coal lease without guards against environmental harm. plan approval and state permits. The Bureau of Land Management federal mine plan approval, while the Although these processes were not issued Horizon Mining a federal coal Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Min- followed, inspectors have determined there is no imminent threat lease in September 1998. A plan to ing issued the order for mining outmine the coal within the lease area side a permitted area. There is to public health and safety. The must then be approved by the As- unmined private coal within the ex- mine is located about 14 miles due sistant Secretary of the Interior, and isting permit of Horizon Mine and west of Helper, Utah. On April 8, Federal and state officials issued separate cessation orders to Horizon Mining, LLC., a coal mine operating in Carbon County. Car Seat - O - Rama The event provided exciting activities for the kids and helped raise money for the scouting program. . houses focus on wilderness planning BLM open The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a series of scoping open houses to encourage public participation in a statewide planning process which will consider the establishment of new wilderness study areas (WSAs) on BLM lands in Utah. Open houses will be held in Kanab, Escalante, and St. George next week with eight more meetings to follow in various towns across the state in early May. While there will be several oppo- rtunities for public involvement throughout the planning process, explained Acting Utah State Director Linda Colville, now is the time for the public to provide initial feedback on issues and concerns pertinent to the plan. Comments concerning wilderness characteristics, the manageability of potential wilderness study areas, or specific information on other resource uses within any of the 135 inventory areas that make up our planning area would be especially useful, Colville said. Scoping open houses have been scheduled in eleven Utah towns between April 21 and May 7. BLM perat each sessonnel will be sion to explain the inventory findings as well as respond to questions regarding the planning process. The Permanent Documentation Files on-han- d containing detailed information compiled by the BLM inventory crews that walked the ground will also be available for public inspection at these meetings. These files contain aerial photographs, topographic maps, slides, field notes and detailed evaluations as to wilderness characteristics for each area. This is a great opportunity for the public to become more familiar with the planning areas and talk with the Bureau planning staff prior to submitting their written comments, said Colville. One does not have to attend an open house, however, to learn more (Continued on page 2 A) one-on-o- County libraries receive LDS donated materials By VALERIE JAMES Progress Contributing Writer Libraries in Castle Dale and Orangeville have recently received donations of books, music and other reference materials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints. Local church officers presented the items to library directors in February and March. (It is presumed that other libraries throughout the county will receive similar materials.) The donations are part of a nationwide effort to place accurate, positive information in the hands of J. resented. The donation package includes the following books: Encyclopedia of Mormonism reference set) Faith. The Essence of True Religion, by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley Our Search for Happiness: an In- vitation to Understand The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints members of the LDS church, as well as members of other faiths, will find titles of interest to them. These academic, historical and reference publications meet the cri- - nings of Mormonism, historical and social background of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, by Richard L. Bushman, professor of history at Co- ( Continued on page 3 A) Long-tim- e V 7 POOR COPY These new articles are now available for circulation (or reference) to library patrons. It is hoped that these materials will improve understanding and build harmony in the community. It is also hoped that all religions will someday be accurately rep- people who are researching the church. Recent converts often look to the library as a resource and have been surprised that religious collections are relatively small. Martin Wilson, Emery County Sheriffs Deputy was instrumental in securing the grant which made possible last Saturdays Grandparent Car Seat Safety Program. Deputy Wilson demonstrates proper installafree car seats were given out at the event. tion to some of the grandparents. Thirty-thre- e teria of library acquisitions and are not meant for proselyting. by Elder M. Russell Ballard Joseph Smith and the Begin- |