Boiler Adjustment Plans Expected by September at Lamar Light Plant
Russ Baldwin | Jul 25, 2012 | Comments 0
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, said representatives from the plant’s boiler manufacturer, Babcock and Wilcox, may submit some design plans in four to six weeks time. Hourieh shared the information with the Lamar Utilities Board during their meeting, Tuesday, July 24. Babcock and Wilcox also had representatives to the light plant last week, taking pictures of the field of view at the site in anticipation of some physical modifications that might be needed to the power plant. The coal fired plant has been offline for almost 18 months while the manufacturers address power and emission control problems.
During the financial report, Hourieh noted that the last payment to Western Fuel for coal shipment is being made. The contract for coal supplies has lapsed while the plant purchases its power from an outside source.
There’s been no problem with the power output from the light plant wind turbines. Through the first two quarters of the year, the three turbines have generated 5.3% more power than the same period last year. The turbines have an average capacity of 36.41% megawatts per hour, up 1.2% over last year. The turbine in Springfield continues to be the star performer with an average power output capacity of 51.28%.
Each May, since 1999, the light plant conducts a count of customer electric meters. There were 5,688 customers this past May, compared to 5,836 in 2003, the high point in the assessment. The lowest count to date was in 2010 with 5,635 meters in use.
The plant’s financial report for May shows operating revenue at $994,477 with total operating costs of $952,457 resulting in gross operating income for the month of $42,020. When non-operating revenues and expenses are taken into consideration, there is a net loss for the month of $73,869. Year to date net income is at $642,092. Preliminary work on the 2013 budget is set to begin. With that in mind, board member Ron Cook asked that staff consider an employee raise for next year. On another financial note, the board members voted to send a 30 day notice of discontinuation of services to Legacy Bank in Wiley, ending a contract dating back to 1974. The bank has acted as a payment agent of LUB, but with the advent on online and electronic banking, only five customers used the bank for their utility payments last month. The next LUB meeting will be held August 14.
By Russ Baldwin
Filed Under: Agriculture • Business • City • community • Economy • Energy • Featured • Lamar • Utilities • Weather
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