Electricity=1, Snake=0

Lamar Light and Power Plant

Power was disrupted to the southern section of Lamar mid-morning this past Sunday, May 26, when a snake managed to gain access to the LAMFO substation of Lamar Light and Power.  The unauthorized entry came at a price as the snake was zapped as it tripped the main transformer, causing an outage that affected the southern sections of Lamar, south of Cedar Street. 

Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, informed the Lamar Utilities Board during their Tuesday meeting, May 28, power went out at 8:55am and was restored at about 10:30 that morning.  A brief power interruption was experienced on Saturday due to high winds which took down two power poles. 

The utility board authorized the routine replacement of 48 wooden power poles for $28,224.  Hourieh said that wooden poles are used in areas where there is a low threshold or expectancy of fire; otherwise, metal poles are used.  The wooden poles cost less.  Thirty-five, 10 foot fiberglass crossarm poles were purchased from submitted bids for $5,530.  The crossarms are used on metal poles. 

Total operating revenues for the year are $2,999,856 and total operating costs are $2,532,997 for $466,859 in gross operating income.  When the March non-operating revenues and expenses are factored, there is a net income of $4,955, year-to-date.  Compared to 2012, March revenues from retail sales are down approximately 10%, or $348,649. 

The Lamar Utilities Board entered into executive session to receive legal advice on specific legal questions regarding the WildEarth Guardians lawsuit and Lamar Repowering Project.  ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority general manager, Rick Rigel, was in attendance.  The next Lamar Utilities Board meeting will be held June 11.

By Russ Baldwin