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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1977)
History offers key to state’s energy dilemma By MIKE McLAIN Of the Emerald Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part article about the future of energy production in the Northwest Today's story traces the development of the region's public and investor-owned utilities For many years, Oregon has enjoyed some of the lowest elec tricity rates in the nation. And we've wallowed in the lux ury, consuming the juice at twice the national per capita rate But those times are gone and the prognosis for the state is a tightening of the energy belt and a loosening of wallets for rising elctricity bills Since the 1973 energy crunch, the electric bills of 80 per cent of the state s residents — those served by investor-owned utilities (lOU's) such as Portland General Electric — have risen to appoint where they almost double that of / public utilities commission (PUC) customers, like those served by the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB). These customers are also pay ing bills that are almost twice as high as those of the majority of the Washington state s residents. Gov Bob Straub wants to put an end to this price disparity, and — one way or another — it looks like he will succeed at the expense of Washington's residents and Oregon's PUC customers. In order to understand what is happening a little history, as pro vided by Oregon Deputy Public Utility Commissioner Ivan Gold, is in order The present price disparity is a result of "brutal idealogical bat tles m the 1930s, when Oregon decided to satisfy most of its energy needs through private util ity companies — the lOU's. Only 20 per cent of the state is served by PUC s. The state of Washington opted for the reverse ratio The Bonneville Power Ad ministration, with its system of fed erally built hydro-electric dams throughout its service area (which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Western Montana) had ample power to satisfy everyone's needs. And the power was cheap But this inexpensive power began to attract energy-gobbling industry, such as the aluminum plants Though there was suffi cient power at the time, concern about the future resulted in the federally mandated BP A energy preference clause. This clause required that the needs of the PUC’s be met first, with the lOU’s and industry having rights to “firm cheap hydro-power granted by 20-year contracts. As long as there was sufficient power, there was a 20 per cent price disparity between the PUC's and the lOU's because of the IOU s profit margin, higher taxes and higher interest on capital con struction bonds. Phase One" regional power policy, as Gold termed the period when all energy needs were served by hydro-generation, came to an end in 1973. In that year, due to regional energy load growth and the expiration of “firm" energy contracts signed by Oregon lOU's in the early 1950s, the lOU’s were forced to begin construction of additional facilities to augment their power supply. Thus begins Gold's “Phase Two. The region s lOU’s began to mix cheap BPA power with ex pensive thermal power from newly-constructed coal or nuclear-driven steam generators, driving up electric bills. But the higher prices were suf fered only by those IOU custom ers locked out by the “preference clause,” or by customers of PUC’s such as EWEB, whose rapid load growth forced investment in ther mal projects. EWEB has 30 per cent ownership of Trojan Nuclear Plant, but presently passes the energy — and most of the in creased cost — to consumers in California. As that energy be comes needed here, EWEB bills will reflect the added expense. But regionally this is a rare move. Most PUC’s are assured of ade quate hydro-power. Since Washington’s ratio of lOU’s to PUC’s is higher (60 per cent of Washington's utilities are publicly owned as opposed to Oregon’s 20 per cent), there is a growing rift in energy prices paid by the two states. The majority of Washington customers pay ap proxi mate ly $ 10 per 1,000 ki lowatt hours, compared to $24 paid by the majority in Oregon, according to figures compiled by Straub's staff. Straub has made it one of his highest priorities to end this “un acceptable disparity." He has proposed a Domestic and Rural Power Authority which would en able Oregon s IOU customers to circumvent the “preference clause ” But many people con sider this a “blackmail’’ effort to produce a new regional power pol icy. Tuesday s article will examine Straub s plan and describe Gold’s "Phase Three" in the develop ment of regional power policy. Heat loss photographs readied for public view Aerial photographs to indicate heat losses from homes in the Eugene-Springfield area taken last Monday will be available to the public next week A Texas Instruments. Inc. helicopter was contracted by Bon neville Power Administration (BPA) to photograph parts of Eugene-Spnngfield to find out how effective the infra-red system is in detecting heat loss. This is a part of a BPA program to bring the energy-saving qualities of good insulation to the public's attention Heat radiation will show up as light spots in the pictures and cold areas will be black. It looks like a valuable tool, but we won't know until the results are in." said Ladd Sutton of the BPA s Eugene office A flyover had been attempted prior to Monday, but fog made it impossible toget clear pictures. We couldn't have waited much longer because the air was getting moist, said Sutton. Last Monday was chosen because the temperature was 37 degrees and the radiation temperature was 34 degrees. Such low temperatures are important conditions for obtaining correct heat readings. "We think the temperature should have been colder, but they told us they oould do it at that temperature.” notes Sutton. The BPA will work with the area utilities on ways of present ing the findings to the public. But Sutton cautioned, "They can t be taken at face value. There are a lot of variables such as heat loss from windows and night-set thermostats that have to be consi dered." The pictures were taken in the north part of Eugene and in an east to west strip of Springfield. An unofficial area was also covered around the edges of the main sites EWEB urges energy cutbacks The state s unseasonably dry weather has sparked the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) to begin a full-scale energy and water con servation program. The program, which was announced at an EWEB board meeting last week, calls for EWEB representa tives to work individually with the utility's approxi mately 5,000 commericial and industrial customers Postmaster sets protection week 'American consumers lost an estimated $514 million last year as a result of mail fraud and misrepresentation-by-mail schemes,” according to Eugene postmaster Ethan Newman. In an effort to assist consumers, Postmaster General Benjamin Bailar has designated this week as the second annual Postal Consumer Protection Week. The Postal Service investigates mail fraud and false representation by mail through the efforts of the Postal Inspection Service, the Consumer Pro tection Office of the Postal Service Law Department, the Service's Judicial Office and its Consumer Advo cate. "In conjunction with Consumer Protection Week, we are re-emphasizing the Consumer Service Card Program,” Postmaster Newman said. to develop conservation programs, i ne unveiling or EWEB’s conservation program came on the heels of an announcement by the Bonneville Power Ad ministration (BPA) that public and private utilities in BPA s Northwest power network would be asked to cut their energy consumption by 10 per cent. According to Keith Parks, EWEB general man ager, the commercial and industrial visitations will involve five or six EWEB staff members and will take several months to complete. He feels the visits will help to show large power users additional ways they can conserve energy. According to Parks, EWEB officials will also ask its 45,000 residential customers to cut back on water and energy use whenever possible. Parks says an energy program developed during the 1973-74 energy shortage will be updated and will include a Laundry list' of conservation measures customers can practice to cut their water and energy use. Parks said mandatory energy curtailments may be necessary if the drought continues. Lack of rainfall may also hamper the University's power supply, according to Harold Babcock of the University's Physical Plant. The University is one of EWEB's major power users, but Babcock says in a crunch" the University’s own fuel generation system could produce enough electricity to satisify the school's energy needs. Babcock also reports, however, that significant drops in the water level of the Willamette River could force the University to shut down its generation sys tem entirely. EAST WEST PLAYERS Music, Song, Dance, and Theater portraying the experience of Asians in America Direct from Lot Angela*, th* company ha* bean critically acclaimed tor It* originality, boldnaa*. and creativity. Don't mlaa thl* oppor tunity to aaa a unique performance. 8 p.m. 167 EMU $2 Tickets at EMU Main Desk 00600:21 ACME BIJOU PRESENTS LIFEBOAT ALFRED HITCHCOCK Bpm 180 PLC $1 25 or Season Ticket 00608:21 HOMEFRIED TRUCKSTOP BUCKMINSTER FULLER S 4th of JULY TALK 4 hours ol tape with breaks, 6-10 p m DONATIONS on 14th between Hilyaid and Alder 0061321 EMU Cultural Forum Presents in Concert JAZZ GREAT YUSEF LATEEF THE GENTLE GIANT Wednesday. March 2. 1977 EMU Ballroom. 8pm Tickets available at EMU Mam Desk and Everybody s Records 00568 2 EUGENE OPERA! PRESENTS CARMEN PERFORMED IN ENGLISH February 25. 26, 27 Tickets Meier & Frank. Mattox and Skeies 00490:25 CINEMA 7 ATRIUM BUILDING. SECOND FLOOR torn and Olive, 687-0733 TONIGHT THRU FEBRUARY 22 1st Eugene Showing of Kurosawa's Version of Dostoevsky's Classic THE IDIOT Starring Toshiro Mifune Showtime 8 p m 609:22 PERSONAL FREE TAX RETURN ASSISTANCE Help and advice in tilling out tax returns Presenta tion BAP Accounting Fraternity 10 a m -1:30 p m Monday thru Friday EMU Lobby 14224 2-28 VETERANS The VA provides funds for tutorial assistance For more into cat I 666-3232 00504 sb SELF-STOR INDIVIDUAL STORAGE UNIT RENTALS 5X10 10X10 and larger. 24 hour access Store it yourself and save Call State Realty 1 u60Q.ttn PREGNANT? YOU HAVE A FRIEND AT BIRTH RIGHT. Confidential information and free pre onancy test Call 687-8651 1428K*n BUZZY—NATURAL PEANUT SNACK Unique pacXageof High Energy for an Active Person Write for sample BUZZY Co . Box 6801 San Jose Ca 95150_ 221 LOW COST AUTO INSURANCE 747-0668 or 687-2269 Ask for Jim Pack _13792MWF RALPH DAWSON TODAY! in the Forum Room at 11:30 The witty, eloquent and extremely informa tive RALPH DAWSON will be speaking onSTRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL The Ethnic Student in Higher Education (or) Plantation Songs and Other Stories (or) Memoirs ot a Runaway Slave 00621:21 LANE MEMORIAL BLOOD BANK The Bloodmobile will be al Collage Grove today from 2:30-5 30. Contact June Bird at 942-2820 tor more inlormation DONORS NEEDED A Positive 4 Units: A Negative 1 Unit; O Positive 6 Units; O Negative 1 Unit; B Positive 1 Unit Call 484-9111 tor an EtoPPmtment JELL-O, happy 2ter! Finally, no more Chee-tos and Coke It's Cold Duck all the way Here s to Paris, wme, and?? 2:21 Love. KSJ UNIVERSITY DEMOCRATS WILL be meeting Monday at 7 30 p m in EMU, Room to be Posted' 00601 21 Have YOU purchased your 1977 Oregana? This award-winning. 500-page history of the University during 1976-77 is still available at the low price of $9. DON’T WAIT! BUY YOURS NOW March 1 the Oregana will sell for $11 Don’t wait until next tall to reorder — there will not be extra copies. Get your Oregana now. Just stop by Room M-111. on the mezzanine level o! the EMU. or look tor our table m tie EMU lobby the week m February See yourself — in the Oregana. 00474:sb YESTERDAY WAS MINDY SEACATS 19th! Give her a birthday kiss1 Happy day 2 21 C. J. THANK YOU lor a year of sunshine and love Looking toward to many mote ILY your non 2 21 HAPPY QUARTER-CENTURY BIRTHDAY ROBERT (AND GEORGE) SCHERZER! a small dona ton has been made in your name to the study on agng in Amenca J 2:21 VON GROTO, sister ot the Frog Your cup runneth over, butt may yours always be rated 10 Happy Birthday! Compliments of #11 Gourmet Restaurant 2 TWEEZE. TWEEZE and what do you have’ Move and more of the pnckly unwanted hairs, right’ Get smart! Phone 687-9181 Electrology by Manan 00489 MWH BOOGIE ON DOWN TO BIGGIES SUB CITY Home ol the Super Biggie 7886 11th Street. Next 10 Mayflower Theatre 2:25 JOIN THE GREEK UFE. Sign up tor Soronty Spnng Formal Rush (Apnl 27-May 3) at Panheltenic Office. Suite 3. EMU 00615:25 MARTY LORCH—Let s hope your next 21 years brxigs you better luck in handball Happy 21st 2:21 PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY presents the First Annual Pike s Peek Road Rally This Fnday. February 25 Regstraton starts at 7 p m First car out at 7:30 p m Prizes awarded lor First, Second and Third place 2:21 LEIF SEYMOUR. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one per vert from another 2:21 TO APARTMENT 5 DELI, it's OK if you re out of Pjetiani, just make it a well hung sausage, heavy on the Mayo (wrap it to go!) Your Patrons 2 21 RALPH DAWSON TODAY! In the Forum Room at 11 30 The witty, eloquent and extremely informa tive RALPH DAWSON will be speaking on STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL: The Ethnic Student m Higher Educsbon (or,°tantation Songs and Other Stones (or) Memoirs of a Runaway Slave 0062121
