The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1924-06-25

city are In a quandry regarding the
outlook for power and lights during
the late summer. Project Manager
Richardson believes that there will
be water sufficient in the reservoir
to complete the season. but other
engineers taking the average dis
charge from the reservoir and n
inflow, figure that by September 1st
there will be no power available
There has been the hope that sum
mer storms would assist, but to date
there has been no relief from this
source and every day the chances
grow simmer for any such rescue
by Nature.
Council Considering
Two sessions OF the city council
have been held to talk over the situa
ton and get figures on an indeper-
dent power plant situated in thi
city. At meeting held last Tuesda,
evening practically the greatest parl
of the city big taxable property was
represented and the majority are
urging installation of auxiliary pow
err A meeting is to be held Tuesday
of this week when some more defin.
tie figures can be presented.
Make Investigation
Last week City Clerk Atkinson
Milt Wallace. Ernest Hursh and
II. ]. Maupin went TO Winnemucca
TO get data on the plant that supplies
that city with power. Estimates. a
near as available, seem to be within
those furnished by City Clerk Atkin
son. namely, $4,000.
The Winnemueca plant lie running
satisfactorily and giving a good ae-
count as far as economy is concern
ed. The results of this visit will be
made known to the city councilmen
Power Contract Expires
The present power contract with
the Nevada Valleys Power and Light
Company expires on December 81. of
this year. Should this city decide to
erect its own plant the question of
terms for another lease OF hydro
power can and will be discussed be
fore another contract is made. The
contract at best Is a one sided affair
IN which the city is the one that pays
and the concessions are few and far
between.
Estimates for connection with the
Truekee River General Electric Pow
er Company, which furnishes Yer
ington and surrounding sections with
power. have been made. II Is found
that this would cost double the sum
II not more to string wire for con
nectlon that q local power plant
would cost. This city fortunately
owns its own distribution system
which has cost I'm the neighborhood
of 100000. Those who originally IA
vored connection with the plant to
the west OF this valley have aban
doned such a hope as II would be
beyond any source of revenue.
BY the erection of home plant
within this city the city eventually
pays Its way clear, as figures have
been shown the council that II is an
investment. At the present time this
city is at an expense of approximately
$1,000 per month for electric power,
which sum would more than pay the
expense of the new plant and leave
an interest margin for profits. II Is
also stated that there need be no
Increase OF rates to the consumers
under n municipal owned system.
Company Won't Act
Some time ago the question of an
auxiliary plant was suggested to the
heads Of the power people. This was
refused or set aside on the ground
that II would not pay. II is figured
as useless to ask further considera-
ton on this score and the question of
new contract Is also involved. to-
gether with rates, which are arbi.
trary on the part of the company.
The failure of power at the dam,
which has every indication OF ma
terializing, means that Lovelock and
Rochester suffer along with others
IL is rumored that the Rochester peo.
pie are preparing to put In operation
a plant of their own, as they cannot
afford to be shut down for several
months while water accumulates In
the reservoir and rivers.
Affects Industry
Those who have investigated the
situation find that n close down oi
perhaps six weeks or two months
means big loss locally to the mer
chants and tax payers of this city. II
would shut down all of the operating
plants In this city including the sew.
eral refrlgerating plants, the flour
mill. the ice plant, repair shops and
garages that depend on power for
work
.