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Show isfliruefliioin) eirs. First steel erection started April 7, 1982, and had proceded to the point in midsummer, that the steam drum was lifted into position in the top of the boiler structure on October 26, 1982, two months ahead of schedule. The stator, which is the casing and windings for the main electrical generator (weighing in excess of 200 ton), was hoisted to the turbine floor in October, 1982. Deadline for setting the stator had been April, 1983. The water treatment plant was started in January, 1984. First coal delivery was also in 1984. By the middle of 1984 many January, systems had been completed, some were in operation. The start-u- p bus was energized, transmission lines to Vernal and Rangely were energized, and the boiler system had been hydrod and flushed. Steam blows were conducted in July, 1984. Construction work on the plant was basically completed by the end of 1984. However, since the main 345,000 volt transmission line from the plant to Mona in Central Utah was still several months from completion, of the plant was the start-udelayed until the fall of 1985. By the spring of 1985, work on the Mona transmission line was progressing very well. A new contractor was assigned to the job, and crews moved lines across the mountains on an accelerated schedule. The line is near completion, and will be energized prior to plant startup. A total of 57 major contracts and 16 purchase order contracts were awarded during the plant construction. Many contracts involved a number of subcontractors as well as the main contractor. At times more than 30 contractors were working on the site at the same time. p During peak construction years, 1982, and 1983, the construction work force reached approximately 1,100 people. A majority of these workers were Utah residents, primarily from the Wasatch front. In early stages of construction, approd of the work ximately force were residents of the one-thir- READY FOR OPERATION-T- he turbine and Generator area, shown near completion, is the heart of the plant. Here super heated steam drives a turbine which in turn drives the generator to convert energy from steam to electrical energy. Uintah Basin. As the structures developed, a variety of specialized skills were required, bringing workers from all parts of the country. Even at that time, however, Utah workers comprised more than 70 percent of the work force. Although many families moved into the Vernal area and established residency there during plant construction, a majority commuted on a weekly basis-returnhome each weekend. In order to house workers, Deseret contracted for RV spaces in Jensen and Vernal. These were utilized heavily in 1981 and 1982. A housing unit for single workers was constructed in Jensen, provided quarters and meal facilities for 96 people. First occupancy of the facility was in February, 1982, and it remained in high utilization until ing supplement. These funds helped provide instructors for up to 300 children of construction employees. Water and sewer districts received grants to enlarge or upgrade systems to handle additional families. Recreational, social service and law enforcement funds were also granted to various agencies to assist in these areas. As the construction work force dwindled, Deseret began hiring operational employees to staff the power plant. Most of these employees have been working for more than a year training and testing equipment, in readiness for actual plant operation this fall. Approximately 130 people are presently employed at the plant. As the plant moves into an operational stage, it will be burning more than a million ton of coal per year, providing employment in the Rangely area. Deseret will be paying more than three million in property taxes on the power plant, and employees will receive a combined salary of nearly four million per year. The power plant should prove to be a welcome addition to the economy of the Uintah Basin. fall of 1984. Mobile home spaces were also contracted for in Vernal and the Jensen. Deseret also purchased 25 used mobile homes from the construction the massive coal handling like systems grew giant grasshoppers. Conveyors and coal silo shown here. are COAL FACILITIES-Duri- ng basin project at Wheatland, Wyoming, as well as 22 new mobiles. These units were also located in Vernal and Jensen, with high utilization through 1984. two football fields long, the cooling rly COOLING tower shown during assembly, will perform the task of cooling millions of gallons of condenser circulating water. TOWER-Nea- , Ten homes were constructed in Vernal, and used as rental units for construction supervisors and Deseret employees. At the present time most of the mobile homes and homes have been sold, andmegotiations are underway for the sale of the single living quarters. Due to the heavy impact created by 1,100 workers, along with some of there families, moving into a community, Deseret offered assistance to help lessen these impacts. Advance payment of taxes to Uintah County School District, in the amount of three million, assisted in the construction of two elementary schools. Nearly one million was also granted to the district for teachers salary BOILER INTERIOR-Co- al feeder ports, each about 6 feet in diameter, give an indication of the size of the boiler. Walls consist of piping where steam is formed, with steam super heating cools visable at the top. |