For you who think to rain forest in Iowa City is one of the dumbest idea
that has come along in a long time. The attached news article points just
how costly it would be to heat a rain forest. The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo
has a large in door rain forest.
Glenn Pollock



Published Wednesday
                        February 21, 2001

                        Zoo's Heat Bill May Mean Cuts to Projects

                        BY NIZ PROSKOCIL

                        WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


And you thought your heating bills were high.
Our heating bills this year are up four times what they were last year,"
said Dr. Lee Simmons,director of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. "Our usage is up
25 percent."
Consequently, the zoo may have to cut some budgeted projects, such as
fixing a roof or repairing a driveway, later this year.
The zoo's natural gas bill was $93,000 for January. A typical January bill
is about $25,000, Simmons said. December's bill was more than $100,000.

Officials with Metropolitan Utilities District had informed zoo
administrators about the higher rates,saying the zoo should expect to see
their energy bills double.
We budgeted, but even they (MUD) didn't think it was going to be this
high," Simmons said. "You have to keep the animals warm, and you have to
keep the people warm.
By mid-June or early July, zoo officials will be able to assess what, if
any, improvements or projects will have to be cut.


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