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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
We read and hear a great deal about electricity. There have been rolling blackouts in California and all of us in the West have been asked to conserve electricity. Power and energy is a frequent topic of conversation.
Have your light and power bills increased in past years? Have you ever heard of a power and light company in Utah that has not changed rates since July 1972? Well there is one, and believe it or not, that company has a $6 monthly minimum fee with no demand charges.
What is this power company? Heber Light and Power in Wasatch County! The company is a public-owned utility in which Heber City owns two-thirds interest with Midway City and Charlestown each owning one-sixth interest. The company has a service area of approximately 175 square miles, which covers the entire valley floor.
In 2000, over 6,300 customers consumed 91,000,000 kWh. The power is generated by three hydroelectric generation facilities and through six diesel-fired or natural gas-fired generation engines. All of that power is provided and all of those customers are served, and served very well, by only 21 employees. There are 14 linemen, three maintenance workers at the hydro and generation facilities, two meter-readers and two office employees.
I found it fascinating to visit the Snake Creek Power Plant just a few miles west of the Homestead. It is a museum of flowers and unique displays. Kids are entertained on holidays and Saturdays by an electric train village. It is really fantastic. Ray Savage, who maintains the grounds of all the facilities, created these unique displays.
Yes, Heber Valley residents have great, consistent power and light and it is delivered in an expeditious, inexpensive manner by a company that really has the common touch and cares about their customers.
For Zions Bank, I’m Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
