The city of Carlsbad wants public comments to be heard as the California Energy Commission considers a proposal by NRG West to build a new power plant near the existing Encina power plant at Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. The project is known as the Carlsbad Energy Center Project.
More than 200 people attended the energy commission's first public hearing on the project Dec. 17 at the Faraday Center. Before the hearing, the commission and members of the public toured the site of the proposed plant.
A follow-up meeting was held Jan. 24. The energy commission staff conducted a data response and issue resolution workshop. The purpose was to discuss the applicant's responses to data requests from city staff and to work toward resolving issues.
The approval process for the project is now in the beginning stages. The energy commission will hold at least three additional public hearings before making its decision late this year or in early 2009.
As proposed, the plant would occupy 23 acres west of Interstate 5 and south of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. It would generate enough electricity for 350,000 homes, and would be air-cooled, unlike the existing power plant, which is cooled by ocean water. If the energy commission approves the project, construction could begin in approximately one year, with the new plant operational by 2010 or 2011.
The existing Encina power plant would be phased out and ultimately torn down under NRG's proposal.
The decision by the energy commission, which has the final say on the project, will affect Carlsbad for the next 50 or more years. The city is encouraging participation in the decision-making process and is working directly with the energy commission and NRG West to address its questions about the project.
NRG proposes to build its 540-megawatt power plant with state-of-the-art technology, allowing it to produce the same amount of electricity as the Encina plant, but by using 30 percent less natural gas than the existing plant. The plant's air-cooling system also would eliminate the need to use 250 million to 300 million gallons of ocean water per day for cooling, which impacts fish, plankton and other marine life.
The new plant would require two smokestacks. Each would be about 100 feet tall and are designed to be placed in low-lying areas to reduce visibility from the freeway. Under the proposal, the Encina plant, and its existing 400-foot-tall smokestack, would remain in use until about 2016, when it would be demolished to make way for redevelopment of the coastal parcel that it stands on.
As part of its approval process, the energy commission will consider the project's possible impacts, such as effects on air quality, visual aesthetics, traffic and noise.
In December, the City Council approved spending $200,000 on consultants and experts to advise the city on how to best ensure that its interests are represented during the energy commission's review and approval process. The city is continuing to analyze the project and has not taken a formal position on it.
For more information about the project, visit www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/carlsbad. For information about how to participate in the public proceedings, call the energy commission at (916) 654-4489 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
The community can view the Jan. 24 meeting and a presentation by city staff regarding the project at http://carlsbad.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=30.
More than 200 people attended the energy commission's first public hearing on the project Dec. 17 at the Faraday Center. Before the hearing, the commission and members of the public toured the site of the proposed plant.
A follow-up meeting was held Jan. 24. The energy commission staff conducted a data response and issue resolution workshop. The purpose was to discuss the applicant's responses to data requests from city staff and to work toward resolving issues.
The approval process for the project is now in the beginning stages. The energy commission will hold at least three additional public hearings before making its decision late this year or in early 2009.
As proposed, the plant would occupy 23 acres west of Interstate 5 and south of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. It would generate enough electricity for 350,000 homes, and would be air-cooled, unlike the existing power plant, which is cooled by ocean water. If the energy commission approves the project, construction could begin in approximately one year, with the new plant operational by 2010 or 2011.
The existing Encina power plant would be phased out and ultimately torn down under NRG's proposal.
The decision by the energy commission, which has the final say on the project, will affect Carlsbad for the next 50 or more years. The city is encouraging participation in the decision-making process and is working directly with the energy commission and NRG West to address its questions about the project.
NRG proposes to build its 540-megawatt power plant with state-of-the-art technology, allowing it to produce the same amount of electricity as the Encina plant, but by using 30 percent less natural gas than the existing plant. The plant's air-cooling system also would eliminate the need to use 250 million to 300 million gallons of ocean water per day for cooling, which impacts fish, plankton and other marine life.
The new plant would require two smokestacks. Each would be about 100 feet tall and are designed to be placed in low-lying areas to reduce visibility from the freeway. Under the proposal, the Encina plant, and its existing 400-foot-tall smokestack, would remain in use until about 2016, when it would be demolished to make way for redevelopment of the coastal parcel that it stands on.
As part of its approval process, the energy commission will consider the project's possible impacts, such as effects on air quality, visual aesthetics, traffic and noise.
In December, the City Council approved spending $200,000 on consultants and experts to advise the city on how to best ensure that its interests are represented during the energy commission's review and approval process. The city is continuing to analyze the project and has not taken a formal position on it.
For more information about the project, visit www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/carlsbad. For information about how to participate in the public proceedings, call the energy commission at (916) 654-4489 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
The community can view the Jan. 24 meeting and a presentation by city staff regarding the project at http://carlsbad.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=30.