THtr ARIZCINA SGtrNE

By FRANK DA executive vice president

T HE following is a copy of a

I letter that yours truly recently sen-t to the editor of The Arizona Republic, our largest newspaper in the state. It said:

Do Arizona's large utilities really want to save energy? Are they interested in long-range energy conservation planning?

On the surface the answer is "yes".

They supply fuel-saving tips and recommend lower thermostat settings in winter and higher in seasons requiring air conditioning.

They have even endorsed, and are promoting, what they call The Remarkable Energy Saving House which they say will save "up to lO%".

Sounds good.

Sounds good but it could sound better !

Sometime before The Remarkable Energy Value Home was introduced, the Arizona Lumber and Builders Supply Association presented plans to representatives of the large utilities of the Maximum Energy Saver House with features that save 4O% on heating and cooling costs.

This great savings is not merely a claim but a fact since many of these homes have been built in other states and heating and cooling costs are some

Other industry briefs include: retirement of Frank Dvoracek as assistant supervisor for the Montanadivision of United Building Centers: Paul Lund, UBC manager at Great Falls, is now handling those duties while JerrY Robson assumes the management of the Great Falls yard.

Johnson Building Materials, Anaconda, was a recent fire victim, losing an estimated 5O% of inventorY and buildings. The fire was apparently the result of "target practice" on the buildings by a youthful marksman using, of all things, tracer ammunition. Mel is busy rebuilding and restocking.

State Lumber Co., Great Falls, a long-time MBMDA member, has liqui dated stock and equipment and closed its doors. Paul Olson, owner, decided to move at a more relaxed Pace.

Montana vacationers in sunny southlands include Hubert and Hilma White, Neifert-White Co., Townsend, in Caribbean waters, and Roger and Lila Walsh in the desert wastelands (i.e., golf) of California.

Back on a limited work schedule is Mark Rolfson, Rolfson Co., Polson, after a critical heart problem.

407o lower than conventional houses of the same size.

In Arkansas, Florida, New Mexico and Colorado utility companies are promoting homes built on the same concept as the Maximum Energy Saver House.

Since construction costs of this house is essentially the same as a conventional house of equal size, it is difficult to understand why Arizona's large utilities are promoting a house which they claim will save "up to l0%" over one which has been proved to save 40% in heating and cooling costs.

Do Arizona's large uti.lities really want to save energy?