Evening star., 1940-11-28
Virginia Power Plans
To 0utstrip Demand,
Executive Asserts
Federal Conference Seeks
Way Of Meeting Growth
Of Nearby Counties

Virginia Public Service Co., today
told a conference called by the
Federal Power Commission, follow
ing the recent failure of power in
nearby Virginia areas, that his
company is working out plans
which will be ahead of the de-
mands."
The Power Commission had sug-
gested the Virginia utility could re-
ceive additional electricity from OUT
side sources If desired.
II do not have concern" Mr.
O'Connell said, "as to our ability
to finance increases in our equip
ment and service"
With about 80 representatives of
electric companies, utility commits
sions and citizen groups present, the
conference started with assertions
from various power commission en-
gineers, Virginia Utility Commission
spokesmen and engineers that
Arlington and Fairfax Counties are
rapidly expanding, that defense in
dustries at present are coming out
and that present power facilities will
not meet the anticipated load. 1t
was also pointed out that such things
as water supply, sewerage, fire alarms
and fire sirens are dependent upon
electric power.
No Previous Discussion.
Mr.. O'Connell started his remarks
by saying that he was sorry that
none of the engineers of the Federal
agency, who have been investigating
the Virginia power situation, had
ever discussed the matter with him.
Previously one of these agents had
told the conference that by 1912 the
electric power output would be some
$4,000 kilowatts deficient to meet in
creased defense and private dwelling
demands If the capacity were not
increased.
Low voltage complaints which
have been brought up at this con-
ference may be partly our fault, may
be partly the customers fault" Mr..
O'Connell said. I'VE are not always
conscious Of the growth of our areas,
1t is so rapid. However, we will try
to give the best service possible and
We are taking steps to increase our
output.
I'VE have on order a new turbine
which should be in operation by
January, 1912. New high voltage
lines are coming up from Richmond.
We have bought sites in Arlington
County for construction of new SUBJ
stations, and we have added to our
own working man power.
300 to 400 New Meters a Month.
AS an example of the increased
use OF electricity IN our district we
are adding in Arlington from 300 to
400 new meters a month. I do not
agree that we are not doing any,
thing about low-voltage complaints,
and I believe that the plant failure
this month in which a generator
burned out was the first such failure
in years"
F. p. c. Offers Assistance.
Leland Olds, chairman of the
Federal Power Commission, had ex-
planned that it is the duty of the
commission, particularly in times of
emergency, ito promote and en-
courage voluntary interconnection
and coordination between and with
in the regional districts"
"We are glad to have this oppor-
tunity," Mr.. Olds said, "of pointing
out to the representatives of the
Virginia State Corporation Commits
sion that this commission will be
glad to give effective assistance to
the Virginia commission if the Vir-
ginia commission should decide to
take advantage of the provisions OF
section 202 (b) of the Federal Power
Act.
Under that section the Virginia
commission is enabled to bring about
better service and ultimately possibly
lower rates to consumers in Virginia
by compelling companies beyond its
jurisdiction to make their electrical
energy reserves available for use by
the Virginia Public Service Co."
]. Maynard Magruder. chairman
of the Arlington County Public Util-
tiles Commission, read letter from
an Arlington citizens group protest.
ing the recent power break and
voicing wonderment that extra
power should be cabled all the way
from Richmond with potential power
from Washington so near at hand.