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Peaking power and energy requirements now demand a high percentage of present installed capacity, especially for the areas that have been developed within desert regions. This demand arose with the now widespread use of air-conditioning equipment in home and industry. The irrigation pumping requirement in central Arizona adds to the summer load. It is probable that, as urbanization spreads over presently irrigated lands, the relatively constant summer irrigation pumping load will give way to more pronounced peaks as the pumps are converted to supply irregular municipal and industrial water requirements. There is also a need for an adequate supply of peaking power and energy in the southern California area, as well as in the desert areas. Because of the larger total demand, peaking requirements are of greater magnitude than in the desert areas, although the daily duration is somewhat shorter at certain times of the year. Present Development and Requirements Present power developments in the Lower Basin market area range from large hydroelectric and fuel-burning plants, serving the metropolitan areas in southern California and south-central Arizona, to local powerplants serving the smaller towns and communities. The principal suppliers of energy in the California portion of the market area are the cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena; the Southern California Edison Company; the San Diego Gas and Electric Company; the California Electric Power Company; Imperial Irrigation District; and the Bureau of Reclamation. The energy is produced at several hydroelectric plants within or near the market area, in addition to large steamplants located near the 10Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 14,266,368 byte