For Immediate Release: February 6, 2002
Media Contact: Chris Davis (916) 654-4989
N E W S R E L E A S E
State Energy Commission Begins Review of Palomar Energy Project
500-Megawatt, Natural Gas Power Plant Proposed for Escondido in San
Diego County
Sacramento - The California Energy Commission's review process
officially begins today for a power plant application deemed data
adequate by a unanimous vote of the Commission. The data adequacy
vote on the Palomar Energy Project in the City of Escondido, San
Diego County, means there is enough information for Commission staff
to begin analyzing the plans for a
500-megawatt power plant.
Palomar Energy, LLC is seeking Energy Commission approval to
construct and operate the natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power
plant to be located on a 20-acre site southwest of the intersection
of Vineyard Avenue and Enterprise Street. The project would include
two combustion-turbine generators, two heat-recovery steam
generators, a steam-turbine generator, associated auxiliary systems
and a new 230-kilovolt switchyard connecting with an existing San
Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) electric transmission line
located immediately adjacent to the plant. The project does not
require construction of any new transmission lines.
The Palomar Energy Project would be fueled with natural gas delivered
via the SDG&E gas system through an existing pipeline. Reclaimed
water for the plant will be supplied from the City of Escondido
through a new 1.1-mile, 16-inch pipeline.
If approved by the Energy Commission, the Palomar Energy Project
would begin commercial operation in the summer of 2004.
The Committee that will oversee the review is comprised of
Commissioner Robert A. Laurie as Presiding Member and Energy
Commission Chair William J. Keese as Associate Member.
Information about the Palomar Energy Project is available on the
Energy Commission's website at:
www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palomar
The next step in the Energy Commission's review process is an
informational hearing and site tour of the proposed project. The
date, time and place of the hearing and tour will be released in the
next few weeks. The meeting and tour will provide members of the
public and other state, local and federal agencies an opportunity to
learn more about and comment on the project.
Public involvement is a very important part of the Energy
Commission's review process. To find out how to participate, call the
Energy Commission's Public Adviser, Roberta Mendonca, at (916)
654-4489, toll free at (800) 822-6228, or by e-mail at:
pao@energy.state.ca.us.
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