Evening star., 1955-10-28
|PEPCO Plant Called
Threafto Future Dam
U. S. Engineers
Project Cited to
Virginia Group
BY JAMES BIRCHFTELD
Star stan correspondent

BY JAMES BIRCHFTELD
Star stan Correspondent
LEESBURG, Va, Oct. 28.--
Construction Of an electric gem
Grating plant on the Potomac
River In Loudoun County would
interfere with plans of the Army
Corps Of Engineers to build a
water reservoir dam son the
Potomac above Great Falls.
Charles c. Robinson, director of
the Northern Virginia Region !
Planning and Economic De-
velopment Commission, said last
night.
The engineers have plans to
construct such a reservoir within
the next rs years. he declared.
Mr.. Robinson gave report at
the monthly commission meet
ing at Goose Greek Country Club
on plans OF the Potomac Electric
Power Co. to erect generating
plant in Loudoun County.
The commission declined to
take q stand on the issue. It was
pointed out that at this time
there is insufficient evidence as
Ito the effect Of the proposed
plans on the Potomac River.
Sought In MONTGOMERY
Pepco's plans have been eager
lily received by Loudoun County
residents, but have been opposed
lby residents Of Montgomery
County, Md. who would like to
see the power house located on
their side of the river.
Mr.. Robinson declared that so
far there has been no engineer
ling evidence presented that
would show conclusively what
damage, If any. the plant would
do to the river.
/ He said that it has been
charged that the operation Of the
plant would heat the water as
much as 10 degrees during per-
liods of low flow.
It has also been charged, he
added. that this would increase
pollution in the water down.
stream used by Washington.
/ Mr.. Robinson said that the
ldam. proposed by the engineers
Ito be located at the bend Of the
Potomac above Great Falls. would
1raise the water level SO feet
above the proposed Pepco plant.
I He pointed out that the Gov
|lernment would have to buy the
proposed plant, In which PEPCO
lplans to invest about 500 mill
1lion, TO get the land for the
lake the proposed dam would
form.
Sees Increasing Urgency
i II was pointed out also that
Army engineers who are charged
with the responsibility OF pro-
Ividing water for Washington
have indicated that the Metro
lpolitan Area may be forced to
depend altogether on the Poto-
! mac for future water supply. It
has been stated that other
sources of water now available
In the Metropolitan Area may be
Expected to deteriorate with the
future growth of the area.
Mr.. Robinson suggested that
the engineers might move their
dam site up the river beyond the
proposed PEPCO plant. He said
/ that a dam farther upstream
might better regulate the flow Of
THE Potomac at all seasons and
thus supply more stable water
source for the District Of Co
Ilumbia.
Mr.. Robinson also said that
there has been some fear ex-
pressed by planners that the de-
lyelopment of PEPCO IN q rural
area might bring about an in
dustrial area surrounding the
generating plant.
Notes Pledge on Industry
He called attention to the fact
THAT PEPCO, in its contract of
purchase from the Triple Seven
stock farm, owners Of 1000 acres
lin addition to the 500-acre
lPEPCO site, the electric company
has pledged its support to recon-
ling the remaining land for in
ldustrial uses.
| Commission Chairman Phillip
IB. Hall denied q statement yes
Iterday by Francis c.. Browne.
Arlington County candidate for
lthe House of Delegates, that the
commission was withholding re-
lports of its physical survey COM
Imittee.
/ Or. L. Laszlo Ecker RACE, COM
llnittee chairman, reported on two
Isegments of the physical survey
the problem Of business privi-
Ileges licenses and municipal debt
management.
/ Commission officers nominated
flor election at the November
injecting were Fulton Want,
member of the Loudoun County
FLAMING Commission, for chair
imam: William ]. Driver, Falls
Church, vice chairman, and Mrs.
lCharles Pickett, Fairfax, for re-
ELECTION as treasurer.
Butler Decries Plan
For Loudoun Industry
Senator Butler, Republican Of
maryland, today said he deplored
l"any deal to industrialize LOU
ldoun County. Va. at the ex-
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