[Released July 14, 1962. Dated July 13, 1962]
Dear Mr. Chairman:
My message of March 1 on the
nation's natural resources pointed out that a major challenge in resource
conservation lies in the efficient utilization of our energy resources,
including heat produced as a by-product of industrial processes.
The new production reactor now
being constructed by AEC at Hanford, Washington, to manufacture plutonium
will produce as a by-product, very large amounts of steam. By direction
of the Congress, the reactor, at an additional cost of $25,000,000 has
been designed so that the by-product steam can be used to generate electricity.
I was disappointed last year when the Congress, despite strong efforts
by you and others, did not authorize federal construction of generating
facilities at Hanford to convert this steam to electric power.
In my judgment, it is clearly
in the public interest to utilize the heat output of the Hanford reactor,
and to obtain maximum benefits from the public investment already committed
for this facility if there is a feasible way to do so.
This past week your Committee
has heard testimony that the Atomic Energy Commission and the Bonneville
Power Administration have found acceptable a proposal by the Washington
public power supply system to utilize the Hanford steam for the production
of power. This local agency would finance, build and operate the power
plant and deliver its output to local publicly and privately owned utilities
which, in turn, would exchange it with Bonneville for a block of firm power
on a non-profit basis.
The proposal of the supply system
contemplates that no federal appropriation would be required, nor would
any federal agency be involved in building or operating the power plant.
The proposal provides a highly satisfactory arrangement for insuring the
maximum utilization of the facility, demonstrates national leadership in
resource development, and will aid in achieving national defense objectives.
I feel sure you will share my
gratification that a way has been found to make productive use of this
heat resource and I hope that you and the Congress will give the proposed
arrangements your full endorsement and support.
Sincerely,
JOHN F. KENNEDY
[Honorable Chet Holifield, Chairman, Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D.C.]