Word: dams
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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PRIVATE POWER is hoping to score another victory in the Northwest. Following the Federal Power Commission's decision in favor of Idaho Power Co.'s three-dam plan for Hell's Canyon (TIME, Aug. 15), Pacific Northwest Power Co. (a combine of four companies) asked FPC for licenses to build at Mountain Sheep and Pleasant Valley, some 30 miles downstream from Hell's Canyon on the Snake River...
...Ralph." Next came the tough celestial navigation tests, a dog-legged, 891-mile course from Butte to the Hoover Dam. Only the stars could be used to fix position. At least five minutes ahead of time, the observer was required to announce his estimated time of arrival at Hoover Dam. Joe Holguin's E.T.A. was 10:57:54. When the 54th second of the 57th minute ticked past, the City of Merced was two miles from Hoover Dam...
Practical Considerations. The five-man FPC, which has spent two years listening to the arguments, emphasized practical considerations behind its unanimous decision. The high, multipurpose federal dam would have provided more power and slightly more flood protection than Idaho Power's dams. (Neither project provides for irrigation, and differences in navigational and recreation benefits are negligible.) However, the huge public project would have cost far more: $388 million, v. the $176 million Idaho Power will spend. Concluded FPC: the costs of public power in relation to investment would "have no clear economic advantage over the three-dam plan...
Another factor influencing the FPC decision was that the federal project, even if approved, might have been stalled indefinitely by congressional reluctance to grant the necessary funds. Bills calling for the Government dam were sidetracked in both Houses in the past session. On the other hand, Idaho Power, under FPC specifications, must have all of its dams built and generators running...
Kilowatts & Conversation. Supporters of the private project were elated by the FPC decision. Said Idaho's Republican Governor Robert E. Smylie, who, with the governors of Oregon and Washington, had vigorously opposed the federal dam: "We need more kilowatts on the line and less conversation. These decisions make it possible for us to get on with the job of building the Northwest...