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Show Cal-Pac local executive blasts preference rates authorizing the purchase of the (Continued Ofl page 3) d si?)g!s.-w'w tvw "-tf r aGwwlW(WB"PW V. 1 (j" f : , ; i ; ' f In K ' . T I By Klien Hollo Federal regulations which establish "preference customers" -- just 20 percent of our population, contribute to the high cost of power to customers of California-Pacific Utilities Company, Pete Paris, southern Utah division manager for the utility firm told a packed audience at a public meeting held Thursday and sponsored by the Cedar City Jaycees. Paris suggested that "we take a look around, see who is contributing con-tributing toward supporting your schools and other public services. ser-vices. Better yet, look at who isn't doing that." He continued by suggesting that "Just because some stupid federal law which makes less sense to me than OSHA, says a government owned system gets a subsidized advantage over the system which serves you, who should tolerate that. W7hy should you eliminate the private owned system you always thought you stood for and replace it with an unregulated government monopoly?" Pay Fair Share "Price of the product you say. Why not take action against those elements in our society that are getting the free ride at your expense? Make them pay their fair share. I'll guarantee you, if every power user in southern Utah was required to pay for the EXPLAINS COMPANY'S POLICY. Pete Paris, southern Utah division manager for California Pacific Utilities Company discusses his company's policy relative to acquisition of power and its distribution through Cal Pac's system at public information meeting called by Cedar City Jaycees. power he uses based on what it costs to get it to him, your rates would be lower right now and they would have been lower yet during the past 10-12 years." Paris suggested. The program was provided by the Jaycees as an opportunity for California-Pacific to respond to a meeting held the previous week at which Carl Palmer presented information and a report on the history of power in southern Utah suggesting that "patrons of Cal-Pac Cal-Pac are being taken, and that mistakes have been made by public leaders in the past denying residents of Cedar City the much sought after low cost power provided through the Colorado River Storage Project." Former Mayors respond Since some specific individuals were also identified by Palmer in his report, the Jaycees further gave an opportunity for former Cedar City Mayors, Dr. L. V. Broadbent and Lorin Whetten, to respond. Each of the former mayors presented documents concerning actions of their administration relative to the development of power and the issue of developing municipal systems in order to qualify as "preference customers." Former Mayor Whetten reviewed the issue of public vs. private power during his administration ad-ministration and contended that the Bureau of Reclamation, - the organization responsible for the allocation of power from the CRSP - did not adhere to commitments com-mitments made to Cedar City relative to the time frame in which the availability of power from CRSP would be revoked. Dr. Broadbent indicated that during his administration a Resolution was passed by the Council, signed by the Mayor Cal-Pac tells story community. "Regardless of which company accomplishes what fundamental activity, each one requires an investment in some facilities." Paris described the function of stockholders and cash requirements as they apply to both private and public utility systems. A full text of Paris remarks can be found on the back page of this issue of the Iron County Record in an advertisement placed by Cal-Pac as a means of further telling "their story." Since the Friday meeting sponsored by the Jaycees two special "talk" shows have been held over Radio station KSUB whereby listeners have had an opportunity to direct questions to both Carl Palmer and to Pete Paris. In the first of the two-part series, Palmer indicated further investigation into the power issue and is proposing additional meetings with residents to discuss the issues. A report of those proposals are also found in this issue of the Record. (continued from page 1) old Southern Utah Power System, but that the offer was turned down by a vote of the stockholders who were in a position of bankruptsy prior to the acquisition by the Washington Gas and Electric Company. Rare structure reviewed Contracts with "preference customers" to wheel power are a part of the cost factors involved in the high rates set by our company, Paris suggested. "Preference customers allocations began to reach their maximum in 1975 so it became necessary for second class citizens served by Cal-Pac to find a different source. It was about this time when I began to fully realize the inequity of the 'preference law' which allows only 20 percent of the population to enjoy power from a project subsidized by the other 80 percent," per-cent," he said. He went on to comment that "despite all the problems and price increase, Cal-Pac and its customers have a firm, reliable, power source by virtue of a firm purchase power contract with Utah Power and Light and we are thereby assured of our future requirements. Some of our neighboring municipally owned systems may not be quite so fortunate when they exceed their allocation from the government. Some of them have already exceeded their allocations and are worriedly taking with us about the possibility of delivery energy they purchase from IUP&L when as and if it becomes available." Three basic elements Paris outlined the three primary elements of the I development of power and its delivery to the customer. It in- I eludes generation, transmission and distribution. Pans suggested that many I companies accomplish all three I of the functions, but others just S distribute energy within a f |
