The Wrangell sentinel., 1947-01-24
Power Experts
 First Survey Shows
 Hydro Plant Feasible

nesday by plane to look into the possibilities of a hydro electr.e plant for Wrangeu. He was brought her by a group of local business men.
 Mir. Stuart is a graduate elect l lical engineer. licensed for consult ing engineering in the Territory and was manager of the Ketehikan Public Utilities for nearly len years. He now is in charge of the design of a large hydro-electric l plant for the Sitka Public Utilities. . and also is in charge of refunding S247,000 of that city's bonds. . which resulted in the interest be ing lowered from four to three per cent
 Yesterday he accompanied d group of 16 Wrangell men on the launch Radar on a trip to Mill Creek and Virginia Lake to look over that site as a possible source of supply for power for Wrangel.
 In an interview, following his return, Mir. Stuart said:
 Upon request, l recently called at the office of the Alaska Metals and Power Co.,, in Seattle to aseer- tain their power rights on Mn Creek. They have recently obtained a license from the Federal Power Commission, through the Forest Service. for 300 h.p. According 10 reports by several government. en- gineers there are still several thousand horsepower available for development over this company power rights. Their license states this large amount of power may De developed by someone else, with the rights of the mining company fully protected.
 'I have gone over the records of Wrangelrs power plant with MT. Ralph Devenny and I was extreme ly well impressed with his very sf- ficient operation of the plant, ana of the whole electric system. l have also gone over the audits of the city and utilities for several years and found the information avail able and readily given"
 Says More Power Needed
 Commenting further, MT. Stuart said:
 tThe December peak load at youl power plant was very close to the capacity of the power plant 30 more electric generating capacity is needed.
 'I believe it probable that a hydro-els ctric plant could be in- l that would more than double the present capacity of the city's plant and pay for itself, at a yearly cost close to what is paid out now to operate the present diesel plant. r
 All opinions given are prelimln- ary ones, and a thorough study and design of plant and costs would be necessary before a final statement could be made.
 Mr. Stuart said that he was lam iliar with producing power at a low cost by hydro-electric means as Ketehikan, he said has the lowest rates in Alaska and has the higa est home use of electricity in Am erica.
 While I was manager of the electric system in Valdez. the us- age of electricity was greater still, so I know the problems of the smaller towns also"
 No City Funds Used
 Two Junior Chamber of Com merce members reported that F. V. Wagner had expressed willingness to sell the town any surplus power which might be generated at the mill Queried on his opinion of the feasibility of such plan, MT. | Stuart said that such an arrange ment should be very desirable for both the mill and the town.
 |" If a complete hydro-electric plant is built" Mir Stuart continu ed, mo funds of the city's would be used. All costs of design ana construction would be paid from Ghe bond issue, which would be paid for from earnings"
 MT. Stuart pointed out that with a hydro plant a greatly. increased load could be carried which wouil attract industries and rates could be reduced He said the present diesel plant could we'll be used as a standby plant in case of trouble.
 With the addition of consider able electricity available from the sawmill, which seems likely no ad- dition to the present power plant is necessary now" he stated.
 In speaking again of the pro- posed hydro plant, MT. Stuart pointed out that the use of con. siderable of the utilities reserve fund toward the cost of the hydro plant would assist greatly in sell ing the bond issue to build the new hydro plant.
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