The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-12-18
Power Officials and
Council Discuss Plan
To Cut Pumping Costs


In an effort to assist the city in
arriving at some method of reduc-
ing the cost of power for operating
pumps at the city water plant, offici-
ais of the Idaho Power company met
with the city council Tuesday eve
ming for an informal discussion of
the situation. The company was
represented by r. B. King of Boise,
general superintendent; Don Brown,
Pocatello, division manager, and M.
M. Foster, manager of the Blackfoot
office.
1t was explained that the COM
pany was represented at the meeting
at the request of Councilman Ryan,
who felt that the council and tax
payers of the city should have some
explanation for the fact that not
outstanding the city finds it neces-
sary to run the pumps only about IL
hours day at this time of the year
as compared with about Is hours a
day during the summer months and
during the heaviest watering season,
there is but relatively small differ
ence in the citys monthly bill for
power service. In view of the fact
that the city had gone on meter
basis upon the theory that the
operating cost would be reduced, it
was stated that the council was
anxious to locate the cause for this
result not being obtained.
Mr.. King took up the matter from
the standpoint of the company with
the expressed desire of being of as
sistance to the council in solving the
problem. He submitted figures
from the company's record showing
that in June there was a consump-
ton of 1880 kwt. hours at a cost
to the city of STEPS, while in Oc-
tOber there were consumed 27,760
kwt. hours at cost of $484.95, but
he pointed out that in June there
was 1920 load factor as compared
with a $3.50 load factor in October.
He explained that the customer re-
ceiving the greatest amount of dis
count in the matter of rates was the
one operating most nearly on full
time basis. He illustrated by say
ing that in operating a 100 h. p.
motor on half time the city was in
the same situation as though they
were leasing 100 horses and using
them only four hours a day, in
which case the thing to do would be
to get rid of SO of the horses and
use the other SO eight hours per day.
This led to a discussion of the
city's pumping equipment, which in
,ludes two 100 horsepower motors.
Mr.. Kaas, in charge of the city
pumping plant, then asked whether
f the pumping units were decreased
30 that the motor could be operated
at SO horsepower instead of 100 and
run on practically full time there
would be a material reduction in the
cost of the power required. Mr..
King thought that this suggestion
probably solved the question and
furnished the answer to the prob
EN-, provided that the pumping eff
iciency is not materially impaired
~ using the SO horsepower motor
md lifting a lighter load but rum
hing more hours. The power COM |
,any, he said, would be glad to fur
fish, without cost to the city, one of
heir engineers to cooperate with an
engineer from the company which |
,uilt the pumps to determine the
feasibility of the suggestion made
~ Mr.. Kaas.
In the discussion it was disclosed
hat the town of Jerome with about
'68 customers pays about 1925 a
month for it's power. Blackfoot has
bout 700 customers, it was stated.
The clerk advised the council that
lie was in receipt of communications
rom several bond companies desir-
ng to refund at a lower rate of in
crest an issue of $21, 900 bonds
fearing 51s % and due in 1882. 1t
vas the sense of the council that
teps be taken looking to the re-
unding of these bonds in order to
educe the interest charges.