The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-29
CHEAP POW Err IN THE WEST
Possibilities Of Electricity GeneI-
ated by Water.

IN Interesting Statement on the
Subject Issued by the Division Of
autobiography of the United Stutc>
Geological SurNCy-CoaI Very High
The following statement concerning cleo
rriCity and water power in California and
other parts OF the West was made public
hy the Division OF photography Of the
l.. : Geological Survey today
Electricity generated 10y water seems
To- be- the destined cheap power Tor Cali
foruia and for other portions of the arid
West where coal is scarce or too sNpen-
sive for profitable use. The conditions
In California are particularly Favorable
for rapid advance i'm this direction. They
are briefly: First. the high price of fuel.
and second, a fortunate combination OF IA
vorahle conditions Of climate topography.
and water resources. BY reason Of these
conditions California has made an envia-
bic name for itself in the last twelve
years by its energy and enterprise I'm the
development and transmission Of electric
power. and still holds "a position among
the foremost in this regard
THE coal used iu southern California
comes from Alaska. British Columbia
New Mexico. and even Australia, and
soft Goals sell for from Sc 10 so per ton
This almost urohihitive price for fuel
while it has made power very expensive
and greatly retarded the manufactures
progress Of tn State. has also given g.
strong impetus to water and electrical
advancement The advantages California
lacks i'm coal deposits and prices. it pos
s,~s,s in "a marked degree in other re-
rurcts- II includes within its boundaries
high. longitudinal mountain ranges.
which are suow-cap0gd throughout the
year. and from which flow numerous
streams of very heavy gradients fur
ni~hiug ideal power for the operation Of
electrical machinery.
The general climate conditions Of the
state are also an aid To this Development
the average low relative humidity OF the
atmosphere greatly aids iu the transmits
sion Of the electric current by permitting
= Ii-h order Of Insulation Of the line IN
TINS way power Is transmitted over long
distances, considerably further than else
WAtre IA this country. a notable instance
on this rs the power plant on the Yuba
River IN tho Sierra Nevada Mountains.
where electricity is generated which one
rates the street cars OF Oakland lac
miles away Power has also been used
over the same line az san Jose. a distlrce
Of ia" miles from the generating 1Iaat.
rms Is said % De the longest line of
power transmission in existence
-
ing electric plants in California besides
that on the Yuha River one on the
North Fork Of the San JOAQUIN River in
The east central part Of the State sun
piles power for light and general pIIr-
poses 10 the city OF Fresno and surround
ing towns distant about seventy miles.
on the different branches of the Kern
River there are several plants. some Of
which are intended 20 furnish power for
the city of Los Angeles. situated los miles
away To the san Antonio Light and
Power Company. however. belongs the
credit Of the erection of the first plant for
The long distance transmission of electrici-
ty Ia the United States.
in 1892 current was delivered over the
lines OF this company To- tho cities OF P0-
mona and san B-ruardin.. p distance Of
~ and y miles r. spectiTCIy. at line
voltage OF iGU.1 volts an achievement
hitherto unhcard Of These and other
plants are an run by the splendid water
powers "l the State. and tho great uus-i-
bllItlrS for further Development are linn
tied only by economic needs
Much attention through a series of
years has been given 60 careful and
systematic study of the streams OF Cali
fOrnia. 20 secure the data on which de-
pend their development for power and ir-
riEatlon purposes Most Of this work has
been done by the United States Geological
Survey AS a part Of its general iuyestiga-
ton Of the water resources of the whole
country