Imperial Valley press., 1921-04-14
ENCOURAGE
Bull DING
Of POWER
PL AMI
California Hydro Electric
Resources Must Be De-
veloped to Keep Pace With
Advanced Economic Con-
ditiOns.
(By r. N. LYNCH)
Vice Pres. Calf. Development Board.

In considering plans for the future
growth Of California and for the de-
velopment and expansion Of her indus
tries, it is necessary to give attention
to the question of power as most
vital and essential element.
In many sections Of the state farm
ers require power for the irrigation
of their fields and orchards, stockmen
need power to furnish an adequate sup
ply Of water for their stock, and the
dwellers in the towns and cities which
spring into new life around these var
ious industries need power to furnish
them with water, light for their homes
and streets, and transportation on
their traction lines. All these inter-
ests are, correlated and interdependent
on an adequate supply of power, from
either steam or hydro electric sources.
If the development of the new
sources of power kept pace with the
growth'of these other industries in our
state, that would be an ideal condition,
indeed.
/. There was considerable power short
age in 1920 due primarily to lack of
water, following successive dry sea-
sons, but even under ideal conditions
hydro-electric development is essential.
Unless power development is increas
ed in the immediate future it is ques-
tion whether it will keep pace with
the needs Of our industrial and agri-
cultural development, and possibly re-
sulting in serious shortage and ham,
pering of the states enterprises. Such
a shortage was particular peril to
thel economic life and manufacturing
industries of the state.
Obviously, such conditions cannot
long continue. There must be found
some other means of meeting the
states demand for power than by de-
pending upon our oil wells. We cannot
took to gasoline, for there is also a
threatened shortage of that utility, nor
to coal or natural gas-the latter is
now being rationed in some parts OF
Southern California.
The solution of the problems lies in
more intensive development of energy
from hydro-electric sources. Millions
of horsepower may be developed from
mountain streams within the state,
where the water now running waste
may be utilized for the generation of
enough power to supply California's
industries for many years to come. 1t
is the only present available source OF
supply which remains undeveloped.
Engineers, after careful survey of
the California field, estimate that the
state has potential maximum of A.
100000 horsepower of hydro electric
energy which it would be practicable
to develop for commercial purposes.
But, the amount developed to date to-
tails not more than 100000 horsepow-
or. To develop the balance will re-
quire expenditures in stupendous
amouns almost billion dollars. 1t
should be developed before 1880, if pos
sible, and certainly before 1885 if Cal
ifornia's industrial development is to
be carried along in lines heretofore
followed
Throughout the state generally
there should be quickening of inter-
est in this very important problem and
spirit of willingness on the part OF
our people to assist the utility COM
panies in their efforts to solve it now
before an actual shortage comes upon
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