Utilities Orange County

Damage and expenses from this week's rupture of a Westminster water storage tank that ravaged a nearby neighborhood could run $20 million to $25 million, city and Orange County officials said Thursday. City officials estimated total damage from the 5 million gallons of water that gushed out on Hefley Square Town Homes early Monday at $20 million, and they said they have enough insurance to cover that amount.

After clashing with angry residents, the City Council this week tentatively approved a 6% tax on utilities that officials hope will help offset a projected $1.4-million deficit in the 1993-94 budget. Residents will be able to protest the utility tax proposal again on March 23, when the council is expected to take a final vote. If approved, the tax would appear on water, gas, electricity and phone bills beginning this summer.

Residents of North Tustin are concerned about Southern California Edison's plan to build an electrical substation in their quiet neighborhood. Although a temporary substation is already operating at 17th Street and Esplanade Avenue, the facility's permit will expire early next year, Orange County Zoning Administrator Robert White said. Edison officials have submitted final plans for the permanent station, which would be surrounded by a wall and trees.

Water officials on Monday reopened a water main and restored full service to about 700,000 customers in south Orange County. Residents from San Juan Capistrano to Irvine had been observing voluntary restrictions on water use ever since a 69-inch water main burst beneath an Irvine strawberry field Dec. 13, spilling 5 million gallons of water.

Following the spirit of 1996 legislation mandating the deregulation of private electric energy providers, publicly owned Anaheim Public Utilities is considering opening itself up to competition. The move would break a long tradition in Anaheim, where customers have never had a choice about their electricity provider. But, according to a presentation given last week for large businesses, the spirit of free choice will only go so far.

Former Garden Grove Councilman Bob "Tax Fighter" Dinsen considers the current City Council a little too liberal. But then again, he also thinks Barry Goldwater was a little too liberal. So it's no surprise he's actively campaigning to bring a local initiative to the November 2000 ballot to prohibit the city from using administrative overhead charges from local utility bills for other general city purposes. Basically, he doesn't want people paying more for services than they cost.