The Bismarck tribune., 1933-02-21
MlNNESOTAN TELLS
SENATE MONEY BODY
OF PLAN FOR POWER
Weakens Under Barrage From
Committeeman; Admits He
Figured No Interest
IS Indefinite ON DETAILS
Commercial Power Manager
Asserts Proposal Would
Be Costly to State

Frank Nutter. representing the
Pilsbury Engineering company, Min
reapolis, told the senate appropria-
tions committee Monday night that
electricity for the new capitol build
ing and the Bank of North Dakota
building could be provided by utiliz-
ing surplus" heat generated at the
state prison power plant here.
He spoke in favor OF a $685. 900 ap-
preparation to construct a new prison
power plant and said later an addi-
tlonal $4,000 would be needed to
build a "high-line" from the prison
TO the bank and capitol buildings.
Nutter's explanation Of how the
state would get its electrical power
ut lone quarter the cost of buying
it" was based on the theory that
the steam needed to run the tur-
bines or engines would have to be
produced anyway to heat the prison.
In summer. Of course. the steam
used would not be needed for heat,
he said.
Under a barrage of questioning
from members of the committee and
representatives of the North Dakota
F'ower and Light company, Nutter
said the surveys on which his claims
we're based were made by two engi-
neers from the Pillsbury firm but
that he had no supporting data. He
said he was not prepared to quote
definite figures and did not -
sume". the committee would want
technical details.
Chairman Lars Fredrickson, Mel
son county. inquired II the present
prison plant were in good repair, in.
dicating he had been told 1t Is not.
Nutter made no reply but william
Watt, Cass county, said his informa-
ton was that it was good for 10
years yet. and S. J. Atkins. Towner
county, said the prison management
has asked nothing Of the budget
board for repairing it.
Offers TwO-cent Rate
: M. E, Blackstun, representing the
power and light company. offered
20 provide electrical service for the
capitol building at 2 cents per kilo-
watt hour under an agreement
whereby the state would get the
benefit Of any future rate reduc-
tions.
He said his firm had made sur
vey of the existing power plants at
the prison and the old capitol. The
prison boilers were overhauled three
years ago at a cost of $27,500 and
their efficiency had been so Inn
proved that coal consumption was
cut from 10000 to 5000 tons q year.
Pointing out that the prison needs
some heat, even in summer. Black
stun suggested the economical thing
tor the state is to keep the plant
there in operation, since the Corliss
engine acts as reducing valve and
the steam pressure would have to be
reduced anyway. During the sum-
mer, however. when little heat is
reeded, it would be cheaper to pur-
chase power, he said. Under the
present set-up the prison plant pro-
duces approximately $4,000 900 pounds
of steam more than its heating
needs. or enough to heat two build
rigs the size Of the Patterson Ho-
tel. This fact, he said, disposed Of
Nutter,s claim that the heat needed
to generate current for the capitol
would be needed to heat the prison
anyhow.
A modern turbine Of 1000 XVIII ca
pacity uses about Is pounds OF steam
per XVIII or $1,000 an hour, Black
stun said. He asserted studies had
shown this to be 10000 pounds IN
hour in excess Of the maximum heat
requirements at the prison.
Boilers In Good Shape
The boilers at the capitol are In
good shape. he said, and could be
used to heat the new building as
well as generate direct current for
the operation Of lights and such
small machinery as adding ma.
chimes. Commercial alternating cur
rent would be cheaper, he said, for
heavy equipment such as ventilating
fans and elevators.
Nutter offered no financial or cost
figures and admitted. under ques-
tioning. that his claims Of savings
did not include interest on the pro-
posed investment Of nearly $400. 900.
Blackstun presented . financial
sheet which placed the cost Of In
terest, depreciation, insurance and
repairs on the proposed plant ct
$33, 500 q year or 3.35 cents per XVIII,
on an estimated consumption Of l..
10000 XVIII. This figure, he said.
makes no allowance for fuel. luhri-
cants, repairs and other items.
The state training school at Man
dan, he said, has q power plant but
has found 1t cheaper to buy current
at the same rate offered for the cap
ibL building. Figures from that In
stitution would show the saving, he
said.
The committee decided to submit !
divided report on the bill, six Of
those present being against it and
five iavoring It.
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