OPALCOGRAM 112
3/30/94
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Doug Bechtel
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Over the past several years, I have discussed many of the programs
that OPALCO operates to make San Juan County a better place to live.
We have examined the challenges facing us and how we are addressing
them. We have explained our program to convert all of our lines
to underground, our storm abatement program, the projects we have
undertaken to upgrade our submarine cable network, our substations
and so on.
As you know, we have begun updating our long range plans. As part
of this update, we have taken a long look at all of our operating
costs. The isolation of the islands makes it necessary for us to
have crews on four islands and major utility equipment on several
more islands.
I have come to the conclusion that our needs will best be met with
a system of tunnels between the islands. Tunnels would allow rapid
transportation between the islands while not impacting the scenic
beauty of our islands. These tunnels would be sized to allow our
large pieces of equipment to move easily between islands. This ease
of movement would allow us to reduce our fleet of vehicles and,
over the years, reduce the number of employees stationed on each
island.
These tunnels would allow us to move between islands at night and
in bad weather when the ferries are not running. They would allow
us to reach the non-ferry islands in a reasonable time at a reasonable
cost to restore power.
Our submarine cable problems would become a thing of the past as
we would install regular underground cable in the tunnels. The tunnels
would also enable us to install hydroelectric turbines in the ceilings
to make power and have easy access to them for maintenance and repairs.
The tunnels would also enable OPALCO to defer some investments by
encouraging people to live near our least loaded facilities. For
example, the Friday Harbor substation is becoming heavily loaded
and will need to be upgraded before too much longer. On the other
hand, the Lopez substation is brand new and has a lot of future
capacity. We could encourage people to move from Friday Harbor to
Lopez (possibly through reduced electric rates). With the sophisticated
OPALCO tunnel system, commute times from Lopez to Friday Harbor
would be the same or less than commuting on San Juan Island.
With the OPALCO tunnel system we could visit Shaw Island any time
we choose, people from Crane or Henry Islands could zip over to
San Juan or Orcas for dinner, development of a major resort on Shaw
would not overburden the ferry system, and so on. In short, every
island would benefit from the tunnel system.
Our socioeconomic studies indicate that when the Lopez to Anacortes
tunnel is completed in 1997, there is the potential for increased
tourism which may adversely impact the quality of life in San Juan
County. Our studies show that these impacts can be minimized by
making the tunnel one way - that is, only vehicles traveling from
Lopez to Anacortes would be allowed. Of course, there would be an
Anacortes to Lopez tunnel, but the entrance would be hidden and
known only to full time residents of San Juan County.
These tunnels would be paid for by a small (but currently unknown)
surcharge on your electric bill. This would be similar to the storm
surcharge you currently pay. Revenues from tolls charged for the
use of these tunnels would also be a source of revenue and help
offset the operating cost. The toll collection staff would provide
year round jobs and significantly reduce unemployment in San Juan
County.
We will continue to furnish you with additional information as the
plan takes shape. You can expect an update each year about this
same time of year - April Fool’s Day!
Doug Bechtel
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