The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-05-31
BUSINESS BRIEFS
TACOMA POWER

Taeomss municipal electric sys-
tenn was created in 1898, By the
purchase of the electric properties
Of the Tacoma Light and Water
Company. The electric system at
that time consisted Of a few gas
lights and a very few arc and in
candescent electric lamps, powered
from a wster-driven generator and
a stream generator located in the
vicinity OF the Delin Street Gulch.
now known as Wakefield Park.
Electricity was in its infancy at
that time. Many small additions
to the generating facilities Of the
electric system were made, all
very temporary and incomplete,
until IL was determined that some
more adequate sources OF supply
must be located.
Various contracts were then en-
tered into with privately owned
power companies for electric en-
ergy. until 1909, when the people
of the city OF Tacoma authorized
the erection of a hydro-electric
generating system on the Nisquslly
river at La Grande, Wash.
Rates at this time were lowered
extensively, and soon thereafter
the electric system OF the city
really commenced to grow by leaps
and bounds. In 1917 the impetus
to industry and shipbuilding csus-
ed by the war began 10 create
large new demands for electric
power OF the eity's municipality
owned system. and 1t was not long
before IL was imperative that new
sources of power be provided. In
1922 a small 1900 horsepower
steam plant was built on Dock al.
for standby service. followed in
1928 by the determination TO de-
yelop the Cushmsn hydro-electrie
project, one OF the most outstsnd-
ing power sites in the Northwest.
which, although not the largest.
could be developed % a. to pro-
vide one OF the cheapest power
developments in the country, that
would assure Tacoma of having
large supply Of very low-eost
electric energy for ali the yssrs
to come.
The first unit of the Cushmsn
hydro electric system vas COM
plstsd N 1925. and although this
block cf power was thoSOht " 10
sufficient 70 bssp ne city for =
good many years. the growth II
electricity IN industry and IN the
home became - rapid that, within
two years IL was manifest that
additional power facilities must be
provided.
So. in the year 1928. the second
step Of the Cinhman power dsvsl-
opmsnt was commenced. and this
second unit vas completed in 1880.
II, together with the first unit.
provided the city Of Tacoma with
i25. 900 horsepower Of very low
cost electric energy. The second
Cushman development had not
even been completed when Il be
came evident that additional steam
standby service must he provided.
So in 1881, Tacoma completed a
$500 horsepower steam general
ing station for gSs In emergencies
or low water periods.
Tscomas municipal electric sys-
TEN will be completely paid for ~
1881. Just ~ years away. How
ever. according 70 the present
growth Of the load. II yiil be nee
sssary within . few years 10 again
erect additional generating faein-
ties. and water rights have been
obtained for two additional desel-
opments. One plan Of development
smbodles further Use Of the Sis-
qualify river. and the other con-
templates bringing the South Fork
OF the skokomish river into and
making II part II the ctkhnL4n
generating system.