Evening star., 1935-04-11
PRESIDENT TOLD
OF POWER CRISIS
Entire Nation Declared Men,
aced by Shortage of
Electricity.
BY ]. 4. FOX.

Emphasizing that the United States
will face critical shortages of power
in almost every section upon resump-
ton of normal industrial activity. the
Federal Power Commission today told
President Roosevelt that capital ex-
penditures of at least $500, 900 900 for
early construction OF steam and hydro
electric plants is imperative"
The declaration was made in the
first interim report of the vast survey
ordered by the President in August,
two years ago. to determine national
power resources and requirements
the first study of its kin6 ever made.
At present, the report amplitied the
power shortage is growing, and in
ment of potential hyroelectric re-
sources, which shows l 1888 sites. which.
II fully developed. could have an eSti-
mated installed capacity of 52628.900
kilowatts. capable of an estimated
output of 275,683 .O0O.O 900 kilowatt
hours of electrical energy. This is
about so per cent more than the total
installed generating capacity of all pri-
vate and municipal plans. both hydro
and steam. in the country today.
sl5 Systems Surveyed.
Much has been said during the
past five years about the supposed
surplus of electric generating capacity
in the United States" the report says.
Until quite recently this has been
49,, ha eit
viewed from the short-range stand
point of the relation between existing
capacity and the immediate demand
during a period of depression. In re-
cent months, however. the use of
power has been rapidly increasing
until in many districts the demand is
nearing the limit of available eff
cient generating capacity"
The report is based on analysis of
data obtained from 2l5 electric utility
systems. The installed generating
capacity of these 2l5 systems is 81
per cent of the total installed generat-
ing capacity of electric utilities in the
United States, while their output rep
resents 90 per cent of the electrical
output of the publicly and privately
owned utilities of the entire country.
Use Of Power Growing.
Summarizing it's findings, the COM
mission says:
The use of electricity for domestic
purposes as well as in certain branches
of industry has grown at such rate
during the depression that, upon a
resumption of normal industrial ac-
tivity, the demand for power will be
at least 100000 kilowatts in excess
of that which existed in 1929.
Very little new generating capacity
has been constructed by the privately
owned utilities since 1880. AS a re-
suit. the capacity of existing plants
is 1925. 900 kilowatts less than the de-
mand that will exist for power upon
q resumption of pre-depression in
dustrial activity, assuming mainte-
nance of normal reserve capacity.
This shortage is being rapidly ac-
centuated by the obsolescence Of
plants. which would have been re-
placed under normal conditions. AS
Of January /, 1885, 56 per cent of the
total installed steam-electric capacity
of the United States was at least 10
years old, IL per cent was 20 years
old or older and about l per cent at
least 80 years old Inefficient and
obsolete plants, with a capacity of at
least 100000 kilowatts. should be
replaced within the near future.
All Regions Affected.
Analysis by districts of the rela-
ton between the capacity. of existing
plants and the demand Dat will be
created with the resumption of normal
industrial activity shows that critical
shortages will exist in almost every
section of the United States. The
only regions in which substantial sur
pluses of capacity now exist to meet
normal demand are Florida. part of
Michigan. an area along the lower
Mississippi, North Dakota. Idaho. Utah
and New Mexico, and parts of Texas,
Minnesota, Montana, Washington and
Oregon.
Government plants provided for or
under construction will meet these
shortages in certain limited areas.
"The critical shortage of existing
generating capacity most seriously
affects the great industrial districts
of the East and Middle West It
would, therefore, be disastrous in case
the United States should become in
volved In war"
In the study of hydro resources.
the commission divided the country
into seven zones-Northeast, Middle
West, Southeast. Mountain and Plain,
Southwest. Pacific Northwest and Pa
ciic Southwest. q