Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-02
SIS Million Set
As Cost Of New
Generating Unit

~~O-~~ ~~~A-S~A N-SNA0AA VA 40 OOAAJA u
versial new. power plant on the
Potomac River in Upper Mont
gomery County, PEPCO Presi-
dent r. Roy Dunn disclosed to-
day.
The construction is aimed at
placing into operation a IFS, 0OO-
kilowatt turbo-generator unit by
early summer of 1859, to
meet expected emergency de-
mands for power by that time.
George Bisset, senior vice pres
ident, said PEPCO is still "ex-
tremely hopeful" Congress at an
early date will approve construc-
ton Of q diversion dam Of the
Potomac at the Plant site so di-
rect flows Of river water can be
used to cool the plants genera
tors.
Another Technique
In the event such q dam is not
permitted, however. another
although less efficient-cooling
technique viii be utilized, taking
advantage Of the rivers present
depth.
with demands for power ex-
banding in that area" Mr.. Bis.
set said. I'VE were in the posi-.
ton that we couldn't wait any
longer"
Mr.. Bisset noted that power to
the Upper Montgomery area now
must be routed from Alexandria
through a station at Little Falls.
and that such lines soon would
be. taxed to a maximum" The
need will be heightened, he said.
by such Government construc-
ton as the installations for the
area planned by the Atomic En-.
|ergy Commission, National Bii-
reau of Standards and the Air
Force.
The plant construction win
take place on the Potomac, about
three-quarters of a mile down.
stream from the Monocacy
River.
SIS Million Cost
The first construction, win be
Of a site to house two of the
IFS. 00-kilowatt units. Cost Of
the first unit and necessary
transmission facilities will be SIS
million.
Stone & Webster Engineering
Co. was named engineer and
general contractor for the big
project. and work is to begin IS
soon as possible.
The turbo-generator unit will
use steam for power. Its com.
lpletion will boost capacity Of
lPEPCO's system to more than /
million kilowatts., This week, q
new unit will 60 into operation
Iat the firms Alexandria plant.
This is expected to meet de-
mands until 1859.
Eventual cost Of the completed
plant in the Dickerson area has
been estimated at more than
500 million. Asked about
PEPCO's present plans for its
ultimate size, Mr.. Bisset said.
THAT depends upon Congress
and the diversion dam"
Another Fight Threatened
Representative Smith, Demo-
crat of Virginia, chairman Of
the powerful House Rules Com
|mittee. last year bottled up q
bill to authorize the dam and
has threatened to fight 1t again
this year., Mr.. Smith has
wanted the plant built on the
Potomac In Loudoun County,
Va, where its tax revenues
would benefit Virginians. Mont
|gomery will get an estimated
81 million q year in taxes
from it.
With the dam. PEPCO would
increase the Potomac supply at
the plant site to the point that
water could be run directly over
the generators for cooling.
The ''less efficient" alternative,
Mr.. Bisset said. is a system Of
cooling towers" Under this
process the river water would
be pumped to towers and be
used several times. II would
be less effective because It would
not be as cool as the direct
river water.
Holds 1000 Acres
PEPCO holds about 1000 acres
of land in the Dickerson area,
roughly between the Potomac
and the Monoccacy Rivers.
Despite the new construction.
Mr.. Bisset said the firm stIll has
mo plans to sell" q tract Il
originally obtained early in 1856
In Loudoun County for the plant.
The move to the Maryland side
Of the river came under pressure
from Maryland taxpayer groups
who commended that their State
should get the advantage Of tax
revenues since they were the
users of PEPCo power.
Mr.. Bissett would make no
comment on possible future use
Of the Loudoun site. beyond o
reference to possible future power
demands In the area.
Engineers Proposal
He also noted, however, that
the Loudoun tract could be III.
undated by water II an earlier
proposal Of the United States
Engineers to build q inigh-level
water supply flood control dam
In that vicinity were carried
out. The Engineers are seeking
funds from Congress this year
for q detailed study Of Just what
kind Of dam is needed. and
where.
Mr.. Bisset said q low diversion
dam. Of the type PEPco hopes
Congress will approve for the
Upper Montgomery County
plant. would not have been
needed &C the Loudoun site. TIA