Laserfiche WebLink
<br />-2- <br /> <br />You understand; of course, that the members of the Mid- <br />West Electric Consumers Association maintain a keen interest <br />in water resource development because the hydroelectric power <br />generated at multi-purpose projects is an essential element <br />of our power supply. In much of our area, rural electrification <br />was not feasible until the enactment of the Flood Control Act <br />of 1944. The decision to build the great dams on the Missouri <br />River, together with the preference clause in the Flood Control <br />Act, assured the Rural Electrification Administration that bulk <br />power would be available to REA cooperatives at reasonable cost. <br />With these assurances, rural electrification became a reality. <br /> <br />Similarly, our many small municipal members depend upon <br />the Federal hydro program for bulk power supply. While it is <br />true that the Federal System cannot meet their total needs <br />after 1977, the Bureau of Reclamation program and the leadership <br />available from that power marketing agency will be a real asset <br />as they seek ways to meet growth needs economically and on a <br />basis that is consistent with good environmental practices. <br /> <br />The Corps of Army Engineers is currently studying the <br />potential addition of a million kilowatts of generation to <br />the Federal System. Naturally, we are keenly interested in <br />this substantial amount of completely' clean and environmentally <br />attractive electric power. We want this potential evaluated <br />under standards and procedures and at discount rates that <br />encourage the development and use of the resources. <br /> <br />We believe that proper evaluation is in the national <br />interest and that construction of these facilities is an <br />essential element of a good, environmentally sound conservation <br />program. <br /> <br />Having identified Mid-West's power supply interest .in the <br />proposed standards and procedures and the 7% discount rate, <br />let me hasten to add that our deepest concerns are related to <br />economic and social problems in our region and across the' <br />country. We will not have served the region well if we con- <br />centrate our effort on low cost power supply while permitting <br />the economy of the region to collapse as a result of ill- <br />conceived Federal resource policies. <br /> <br />Because the electric utilities that make up our membership <br />are all owned by their customers, they have a real commitment <br />to economic growth, 'social well-being and healthy and attractive <br />