All Entries Tagged With: "Houssin Hourieh"
Anderson Departs Lamar Utilities Board
The Lamar Utility Board passed a resolution recognizing outgoing chairman David Anderson for his service to the community over the past five years. He was presented with a unique combination clock and functional electric meter by Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, during the Tuesday meeting, July 29. Hourieh noted that Anderson’s departure leaves […]
Discussions on Repowering Project Get Heated During First Public Hearing
Looking for responsibility, looking for blame, looking for a way out summed up the questions and mood of the 70 to 80 residents who were on hand for the first of three public information meetings, hosted by ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, regarding that board’s two main options for the future of the Lamar […]
Lamar Utilities Board Notes End of Year Financial Report
The Lamar Utility Board December 2013 Financial Report indicated that total operating revenues for the year, year to date, are $13,145,197 and total operating costs are $11,431,003. Gross operating income for the year was $1,714,194. When the non-operating revenues and expenses are considered, there is a net loss of $19,851, year to date. Light […]
2014 City Budget Ordinance Passes First Reading
The Lamar City Council passed the 2014 budget ordinance on first reading during a rescheduled public hearing this past Monday night, October 21. The council will vote on the acceptance of next year’s budget during the regular council meeting on October 28. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh also presented an overview of the power plant’s […]
Anderson Voted to Chair Lamar Utililties Board
The Lamar Utility Board voted to appoint David Anderson as chairman and Ron Cook as vice-chairman during a brief meeting this past Tuesday, August 27. Don Steerman, the former board chairman declined to run for an additional term once his seat in office had expired. That leaves a vacancy on the Lamar Utility Board […]
Irrigation Decline Could Impact Light Plant Revenue
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, outlined the recent sales of electricity report for this past May during board members bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 9. Year to date sales of electricity were 3.4% lower than this same time last year. Residential customers were approximately 0.5% higher and Commercial and Industrial sales had decreased 5.7% […]
Electricity=1, Snake=0
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 […]
LUB/ARPA Award Student Scholarships
The February 2013 financial report for Lamar Light and Power was presented to utility board members during their meeting, Tuesday, May 14. Total operating revenue for February is $992,696 with operating costs of $800,987 for a gross operating profit of $191,710. The net income for the month was $58,968. Year to date operating revenues for […]
Lamar Light and Power Testing New LED Streetlights
Some portions of Lamar will appear different under new street lights that are being tested by Lamar Light and Power. Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, informed utility board members, four light pole locations have had regular wattage lights replaced with LED versions. The intersections are at Parmenter and 4th Street, Oak Street and Division Street, East […]
No Leeway for Electric Rate Reductions in Near Future
The Lamar Repowering Project and the debt service needed to pay the construction bonds is here to stay, whether the plant is producing electricity or placed in cold storage. And if the rates for purchasing power from a grid, as is being done now seem high, the rates would probably be higher if the […]
Repowering Project Upgrades May Run through 2013
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, provided utility board members with a written update on the status of the Repowering Project. The boiler manufacturer, Babcock and Wilcox, has continued to make modifications to allow the unit to operate at maximum potential without exceeding emissions limitations stipulated in the light plant air quality permit. To date, […]
Leo Hernandez Approved as New Lamar Utility Board Member
Judge Larry Stutler administered the oath of office to Leo Hernandez, the newest Lamar Utility Board member Tuesday, February 12. Hernandez’s application was approved by the Lamar City Council this past Monday. He will serve a five year term and is filling the vacancy on the board that developed when John Munez’s term […]
Light Plant Parts Arriving in Spring
The Lamar Repowering Project may not refire its boilers for new emissions tests until this July, according to Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh. Hourieh informed Utility Board members that a deal to purchase two 600HP air compressors was finalized by the boiler manufacturers on January 18. Babcock and Wilcox will use the new equipment […]
Utility Board OK’s New Rates for General Service Large Class Users
The Lamar Utilities Board held their first meeting for 2013 approving several annual agenda items including designating the front entrance to Lamar Light and Power as the open meeting posting site at 100 North Second Street in Lamar; a resolution establishing the interest rate paid on utility deposits per Public Utilities Commission regulations. There […]
Boiler Design Flaws Plague Repowering Project
The Lamar Utility Board spent their last meeting of 2012 looking ahead to the spring of 2013 when light plant officials hope to see a successful test and tuning of the Repowering Project boilers. The boilers have been offline for almost two years due to what has been determined to be design flaws. ARPA […]
Utility Board Reviews Customer Rate Classification
The Lamar Utility Board held a shortened meeting on Tuesday, November 27, due to lack of a quorum as several members were out of town. Without a quorum, no action could be taken on any agenda items, although board members discussed several points of concern. Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh recapped the board’s prior […]
Lamar Light Plant Could Remain Idle for Years
Rick Rigel, General Manager for ARPA, addressed the Lamar Utility Board on the regional power supplier’s current financial status through this past August. During the Tuesday, October 9 meeting, Rigel also outlined ARPA’s 2013 budget and discussed the challenges and goals the company will face next year. Rigel mentioned the possibility that the Repowering […]
City Holds Public Hearing on 2013 Budget, Light Plant Discusses Rate Reduction
While not finalized yet, the Lamar City Council reviewed the city’s 2013 budget during Monday night’s public hearing, October 8. City Administrator, John Sutherland, said that although the 2013 figures are reflected in the proposed budget ordinance, more discussion will be held with the council and department heads on October 19. Sutherland said tax revenues […]
Light Plant and City Budget Public Hearings Set for October 8
The Lamar City Council has a brief agenda set for this evening’s meeting, Monday, October 8, following their 6pm work session. The work session will review the city’s personnel management manual. Agenda items include a public hearing regarding the council’s review of the 2013 operating and capital budget. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh will […]
U.S. District Judge Rules Against Lamar Light Plant for Emissions Violations
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, and members of the Lamar Utility Board, are holding an executive session meeting, Tuesday, October 2, to discuss options in light of a Friday, September 28, 2012 ruling by U.S. District Judge, David Ebel regarding the Lamar Repowering Project. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh said the meeting was called […]