OCR Text |
Show Board hears Cal-Pac Warning against putting too much hope in a "yet non-existant plant that may or may not come to be," California-Pacific official J. P. "Pete" Paris described the private business aspect of the utility business to the Cedar City Electric Utility Board Wednesday. Paris said Cal-Pac has an available source of power for Cedar City, Utah Power and Light Company, which, he said, is not a "when, as, and if" source of electricity. "We have contracted for wholesale power from Utah Power and Light, which is a firm source of power," Paris said. "Don't let anyone talk you. out of a, firm ... power contract for some down-the-road possibility.' i: ; ..iirn j-'ii win HMi "If there were a better source of power, CPU would be doing it." Paris said the present UP&L contract is a solid one which is not just "when the power becomes available, as the power available, and if the power becomes available." The Southern Utah Division Manager and newly appointed Vice-president also described Utah as "an energy sufficient state." But, he said, Utahns are dreaming if they think they are immune to the energy problems that have hit other parts of the country. He called Utah's coai reserves "false comfort." CPU'S capital investment, Maris stated "is not for sale." He said Cal-Pac has made a "continuing investment of capital" including $200,000 invested in improving the Cedar City substation on Airport Road. He also said the power company owned the necessary distribution system capable of serving Cedar City's needs. Along with capital investment, Paris listed manpower, management and the product-service as the major advantages of the system presently serving Cedar City. Paris also rehearsed the three functions of an electric utility, generation, transmission, distribution. But, he said, the availability of the product is essential to the system. The changes for new hydro-electric (falling water generation) electric sites are "very dim," Paris said, and all government-sponsored hydro-power is . , allocated., , . ' ii Paris,, lauded 'the manpower and , management aspects of the company, stating they "represent professionalism. CPU has a unique organization which efficiently and effectively utiliizes the grassroots utility system, such as is found, in Utah." He said the company's purchasing power provides quantity discounts, as well as having engineering staffs, computers and electric expertise to back them up. Paris also described the "peak-shaving" "peak-shaving" function of the local steam, diesel, and hydro plants to the utility board. He also explained the fuel cost adjustment charged with the wholesale UP&L rate and how it affects consumers' bills. At the onset of theTioard meeting, present chairman Kent Myers told the group a new head should be named. He said educational and occupational committments required that he resign from the charmanship. |