Pago 6 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1980 State DP&L may be too wealthy for $81.7 million rate hike mm* United Press International DALLAS — A Boston energy re search organization under contract to a Dallas consumer group says Dal las fower & Light Co. is too sound fiscally to be allowed to bill its cus tomers for construction costs at the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant. DP&L is seeking an $81.7 million rate hike before the Public Utility Commission in Austin. The Dallas chapter of the Association of Com munity Organizations for Reform Now has intervened to block the util ity’s rate hike request. Boston-based Energy Systems Research Group criticized DP&L’s rate hike request on ACORN’s be half, following a study of the utility. The rate hike request includes a DP&L proposal to bill its customers for construction costs arising from the unfinished Comanche Peak plant in Glen Rose, Texas. ACORN has charged that roughly 75 percent of the proposed rate hike — about $60.5 million — would amount to a customer “bailout” for DP&L’s share of a $1.5 billion cost overrun at Comanche Peak. State law permits the PUC to allow construction Costs to be in cluded in a utility’s rate base when it is necessary to the company’s finan cial integrity. But Energy Systems Research Group economist Neil H. Talbot contended DP&L’s financial posi tion was not only Sound but well above average for an electric utility, making the company ineligible to collect construction costs. DP&L spokesman Jim Lawrence agreed Monday the company was on solid financial footing but said offi cials could not be sure how it would be rated in the current market. Talbot also criticized DP&L’s con tinued participation in the Com anche Peak project because the com pany already maintains substantial power- generating reserves. He said DP&L’s own pre-filed testimony in dicated that even on the peak de mand day during the summer’s heat wave, the utility could still generate 42 percent more power than its cus tomers were using. Lawrence defended the utility’s reserve capability, saying it was a temporary situation that would ease in the 1980s once older natural gas- fired generating plants were phased out in favor of newer lignite plants. “Our reserves have risen during our conversion program (from natu ral gas and oil to lignite),” he said.' “As the new lignite plants come into operation, they are considered part of our capacity. As the older gas units become more inefficient to run, we’ll be retiring those units.” Talbot disagreed with DP&L’s statement that advance payment from customers for ongoing con struction lowers the overall cost of completed facilities. Using a computer model de veloped by his firm, Talbot pre dicted DP&L customers could ex pect to pay as much as $27 million extra during the projected life of Comanche Peak if DP&L is allowed to add the plant’s cost of construction in progress to its rate base. Lawrence disagreed, saying, "It would cause higher rates at this time but would result in a lower overall cost of the plant.” Air Force eyes sites ofmissiles United Press International WASHINGTON — The Air Force announced Tuesday it would identify the potential area support centers for the MX missile system in its upcom ing draft environmental impact statement due to be released later this month. Ten communities are under con sideration to become support cen ters, including areas near Dalhart and Hereford, Texas; Portales, N.M.; Tonopah, Ely, Eureka and Pioche, Nev.; and Delta and Mil ford, Utah. The total number of support cen ters to be selected is dependent on where the MX system is deployed, and ranges from three to six centers. A final decision on how many will be required will be made next year, said MX public affairs officer Mike Ter rill. Terrill said the area support cen ters would provide facilities for equipment storage and repairs, security control, maintenance dis patch, helicopter transport and maintenance, and other on-site ser vices necessary to maintain support of the MX missile system. He said military personnel would be on temporary duty from a main operating base for periods up to seven days. The remaining person nel would be civilians hired from adjacent communities. MX is a new intercontinental bal listic missile system being developed by the Air Force to help upgrade the nation’s nuclear defense forces. Plans call for it to consist of 200 mis siles spread throughout 4,600 shel ters. It is expected to be operational by the end of 1989. Talbot also charged DP&L had ignored the use of conservation to supplement or replace power plant construction. “In my opinion, it is incumbent on any utility management engaged in a major construction program to re evaluate the comparative economics of nuclear power and other sources, with particular emphasis on conser vation as a major source of power, ” Talbot said. Lawrence said conservation already has had some effect on DP&L customers but that conserva tion alone would not be enough. “The energy is going to have to be there,” he said. “Although conserva tion will help, we can’t just sit idly by and expect conservation to do it all.” PROBLEM PREGNANCY? Are you considering abortion? Free counseling and referrals Call (713) 779-2258 Texas Problem Pregnancy, Bryan, Tx. * BOTHER'S Bookstobi PAYS TOP DOLLflE FOR USED BOOB At the Southgate SAFEWAY SAFEWAY IS OPEN 24 HOURS. DAYS A WEEK! WE ACCEPT USDA FOOD COUPON! 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