Hodel and Herrington Renew Sniping on Hetch Hetchy Plan

Energy Secretary John S. Herrington and Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel resumed sniping at each other Tuesday over Herrington’s criticism of Hodel’s proposal to restore the Hetch Hetchy Valley reservoir to its natural state.

Citing a cost of $6 billion or more, Herrington said at a press conference Tuesday that Hodel’s plan “ought to die now.”

Hodel responded by saying in a statement that studies in progress should continue in an effort to determine ways to replace water and power generated by the reservoir, which is located in Yosemite National Park but owned by San Francisco.

“With diligence and time, we will learn enough about the issue so the nation can make an informed choice between the visions of John Muir and John Herrington,” Hodel said. Sierra Club founder Muir led a fierce battle to stop the damming of the Tuolumne at Hetch Hetchy in 1913.

Future Energy Shortages

Herrington released a report that said Hodel’s concept is “not viable at this time.” While the power generated by the Hetch Hetchy dam system--surpluses of which are sold by San Francisco--could be replaced at this time, Herrington warned that there might be future shortages. He also said the Hetch Hetchy system is nearly paid off and, unlike fossil fuel plants, it is non-polluting.

Herrington estimated that the cost of restoring the valley and replacing the water and power system would be “at least $6 billion,” although his report said “no reliable estimates are available.” He said he commissioned the reportin the hope that Hodel would see that it was too costly, and so that any successor to the Reagan Administration would not attempt to revive the idea.

Herrington and Hodel have previously disagreed over the merits of the Hetch Hetchy plan.

Hodel has proposed destroying O’Shaughnessy Dam, draining the reservoir and allowing the valley to return to its natural state. The dam supplies water and power to San Francisco and other communities in the area.

Weapons Laboratory

Herrington was in the Bay Area to discuss selection of a new director for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory with University of California President David P. Gardner. The university administers the weapons lab, and the Department of Energy funds its research.

He also said he holds out little hope that California can get back in the running as a site for the superconducting super collider. Gov. George Deukmejian has said the state still has a chance to lure the massive $4.4-billion atom smasher, even though a panel of experts preferred sites in eight other states.

“He’s quite right that I can add states, and it’s very possible,” said Herrington, who has final say over site selection. But he also said he hasn’t “seen anything yet, and I haven’t conveyed this to the governor, that leads to me to believe that there is a big chance (for the inclusion of California).”

Herrington noted that the panel of scientists did not consider financial incentives offered by states to lure the project. California offered $560 million worth of enticements.