Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1919 — MAY BUILD NEW LIGHT PLANT [ARTICLE]

MAY BUILD NEW LIGHT PLANT

Proposition of Larger and More Modern Equipment Necessity. While nothing definite has been decided on as yet, it is very probable that Rensselaer will build a new and more modern electric light •plant next season. The 'matter has been discussed by the city council at several of its meetings and Supt. Chamberlain has been investigating the proposition and has visited v other, small cities where new plants JUrkve been iput in lately. / ' The necessity for a plant of greater .capacity than the present one has arisen by reason of the kapid increase in power patrons as well as the increased use of lights in the city. While the old plant has done good service in the past, it has been outgrown by the patronage and the more modern machinery now enables the generating of current at considerable saying over the cost in our plant. It is probable that the cost of the proposed new plant will be about $125,000, and that it will be located nearer the railroad, where a sidetrack can be put in and thus eliminate the present expense of some 50 cents per ton for hauling coal from’ the tracks to the plant. It will also be located so that the present/ smoke nuisance will he abated as, with a 'modern

smokestack of perhaps 150 feet in height, it easily can be. It is saidThe present plant will likely be left for awhife at least for pumping water and heating the school buildings, one of the boilers now in use being sufficient for this purpose. In addition to the saving effected by the dumping of coal from the cars right at the plant, electrid stokers will be Installed which will . require the services of one less employe at the plant all the time. (However, this latter feature would make little difference over the present expense so Ipng as the old plant is used for pumping and heating the school buildings. • But there would be a saving in the cost of generating electricity by of the installing more modern machinery, etc. The city is in very good condition financially to take on this debt and besides it has become necessary to put ini a larger and more modern plant or ceas'e taking on new power patrons, it is said. Therefore, it seems, there is but the one thing to do in the matter, and that is to build a new plant of sufficient capacity to allow for grow,th of the city for several years.