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Show WATER FOR UTAH MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES There are many other industries - existing and potential - which Utah's raw materials make possible. The nonmetallics, although perhaps not as glamorous as others, nevertheless are important to the State's development. For example, cement production in Utah is basic to its construction industries. Two plants in the State have a daily capacity of almost 6,000 barrels, or over 1,000,000 barrels per year. This present production capacity just about matches the State's consumption. In order to provide for additional cement, both in Utah and adjacent states, the larger of the two plants is being expanded from its present 750,000 barrels per year to twice this amount. Its kilns, fired with coal, are located close to the requisite limestone deposits. There is also some important production of dry ice in Utah, obtained from natural sources of carbon- dioxide gas at Farnham, near Price, Utah. Other natural sources are located in other parts of the State. The plant at Wellington, which is some five miles from the gas wells, has a daily capacity of 35 to 40 tons per day of dry ice. This capacity could be readily expanded if desirable. The operation is the largest of the few similar natural carbon- dioxide treating plants in the West. Its somewhat seasonal production, which follows the trends of consumption, finds widespread outlets - as far east as Kansas City, Missouri and as far west as Pacific Coast cities. Its principal use is for the refrigeration of trucks carrying agricultural products across hot stretches of desert lands. The material is also used as a slow- acting type of explosive in certain mining operations. The carbonation of beverages, of course, consumes considerable quantities of carbon- dioxide gas. Of potential, even though somewhat indeterminate, interest, is the establishment of glass industries in Utah. The State is thought to have desirable sources of silica, as sand and quartzite. Fluospar can be brought in readily from Colorado and Wyoming. Limestone, soda ash, and sodium sulphate are all available in the State or from easily accessible neighboring areas. Growing western demands for canned and bottled goods and for flat glass and related glass products make the possible establishment of glass manufacture in Utah one which warrants substantial consideration. Other ceramic products could also be sustained by Utah's sources of satisfactory clays, particularly for brick and tile manufacture. The production of paints and pigments in Utah could be undertaken on the basis of raw materials which are either available locally or could be shipped in economically. The demands for these preservative materials is increasing steadily and can be met at present only by expensive shipments from distant manufacturing centers elsewhere. The list of miscellaneous industries can be substantially extended. In large measure, it represents an area of undeveloped possibilities which, based on the demands of rapidly growing western markets, should be re- examined by investors and businessmen. In all cases of Utah's industrial development, the problems of water and power supplies are critical. Quantities of these essentials are admittedly short; their costs could be much lower. Of course, it has been pointed out that the proportion of these costs to final manufacture is small. With the exception of electro- process industries, this is generally true. However, in an area such as Utah which is somewhat distant from large consuming markets and which is further handicapped by an onerous freight- rate structure, any savings which can be made through lower water and power costs are highly desirable and necessary. In many instances, it is not unlikely that they may prove to be among the determining factors of plant establishment, between profit and loss. In any event, abundant quantities at low cost for any product or material used in industry and manufacturing has always proved to be a basic stimulant to increased levels of profitable operations- water and power are no exceptions. [ 82] |
