Evening star., 1955-09-13
Delay Is Asked
In Hearing on
Pepco Project
Time Sought to
Study Effect on
D. c. Woter Supply
By JOHN W. STEPP


neer today suggested postpone
ment of tomorrow's scheduled
public hearing on the Potomac
Electric Power Co. bid to build
a massive power generator in
Loudoun County. Z miles up
river from Great Falls on the
Potomac.
Col. Ray Adams, Army District
engineer, addressed his request
to the county's Board Of Zoning
Appeals. The board Is due to hear
arguments on the Pepco petition
in a regular session in the court
house in Leesburg, Va, beginning
at 8 pm. (EST).
The Engineer Corps oficer 5ug-
gested a 60-day delay in the pro-
ceedings. This, he said, would
allow enough time for his ONCE
and Pepco to exchange and COM
pare data on the effect the pow
er plant operation could have on
Washington's water supply.
Preliminary findings Of Col
Adams Office show concern that
the plants use Of Potomac
waters could cause the river
temperature to rise to q point
where bacteria and aquatic plant
life growth might increase dam
gerously.
Pepeo Denies Menace
The company has counteredI
that plans for its plant are such
that no pollution menace would
arise.
Col. Adams pointed out, in his
letter to the zoning Board, thatl
his Office is responsible for pro-
viding Washington's water sup
ply. He emphasized that time
for the engineering studies Isl
necessary so he can reach al
final decision on whether the
effect Of the proposed plant onI
sthe city's only water sourcel
would be harmful.
At the same time. The STAR
also learned. the Washington 81
Old Dominion Railroad Is pre-
pairing a petition to the Inter-
state Commerce Commission forl
permission to build O RAN spur
from its main line through Lou
doun County to connect with the
proposed Pepco plant.
Neil S. Lantzy. general man.I.
ager, said the railroad hopes toll,
present its request within 20 days.
The single track offshot would
carry the coal necessary to make
the steam to run the Pepco tur-
bines.
Four Mile Spur
It would extend IL miles froml'
the village Of Sterling across
rolling countryside to the bound
airy of the 519-acre tract which
Pepco has an option to buy for
its installation.
Since the proposed spur would
cross Virginia State highway
Route = related applications
must be filed by the rail company
with the State Highway Depart
ment and with the Loudoun
County Board Of Supervisors for
their approval of the project.
Mr.. Lantzy, said that, at the
outset, only one round-trip perl
day would be necessary to supply,
the plant with coal-about 12
carloads daily. Ultimately the
plant would be expected to use
about A carloads of soft coal
each day to generate 100000
kilowatts Of electricity.
It is uncertain at this time
whether the rail line would cross
Route 7 at grade or by means Of
a structure. Estimated maximum
cost of the rail line construction
is about $500.000, MFR. Lantzy
said.
Citizens of both the Virginia
county and of Montgomery
County, across the Potomac in
Maryland. meanwhile, are mobil-
izing against the power project.
A group of residential and
farm property owners headed byI
DR.. Wilson M. Compton, former
president of Washington State
College and ex-chief of Voice of
America, is spearheading the op-
position. DR.. Compton owns
1000 acres abutting the tract
that Pepco wants. II
Industrialization Feared
The protest of the Loudoun I
residents. as well as that Of their
MnntOoYra ory SaoirHhor~ 4. l~..It