For Immediate Release: March 26, 2003
Contact: Chris Davis - (916) 654-4989
Energy Commission Reports on Progress of Pico Power Project Proposal
Sacramento - Part one of the Staff Assessment of the Pico Power Project is now available on the California Energy Commission website at:
www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/picopower/documents/
The report is a staff draft document. It is not a
decision or proposed decision on the Pico Power Project.
Part one of the Staff Assessment outlines the Energy
Commission staff's progress in reviewing the City of Santa
Clara, Silicon Valley Power proposal, with analysis and
suggested conditions of certification in 19 technical areas.
It also notes that some critical information is needed
before the staff's complete analysis and recommendations can
be released.
Among those critical items is the Preliminary
Determination of Compliance, which is expected from the Bay
Area Air Quality Management District in April and the Final
Determination of Compliance, expected in late May. The
Energy Commission staff and applicant are also negotiating
to determine the proper mitigation to address the potential
impact of the power plant on biological resources of the
surrounding area.
The Pico Power Project is proposed by Santa Clara's
electrical utility, Silicon Valley Power, for a 2.86-acre
site west of Lafayette Street and Duane Avenue within city
limits. As proposed, the natural gas-fired, combined-cycle
facility would consist of two combustion-turbine generators
and a steam-turbine generator that will produce 122
megawatts, with a peaking capacity of 147 megawatts. A
115-volt on-site switchyard will deliver the plant's power
to the adjacent Kifer Receiving Station. Recycled wastewater
from the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
will cool the plant.
If approved, electricity from the Pico Power Project
will help the city of Santa Clara meet its increasing demand
for energy and replace the power from a contract that
expires in 2005. Silicon Valley Power hopes to begin
construction as soon as the plant is licensed, and projects
completion in late 2004.
The Energy Commission is accepting written comments on
part one of the Pico Power Project Staff Assessment through
April 25, 2003. Comments must be addressed to:
Pico Power Project
Attn: Matt Trask
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth St. MS 15
Sacramento, CA 95814
A Pre-hearing Conference is next in the review process. The conference will be held:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003
Beginning at 2 p.m.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
First Floor Hearing Room A
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)
At the Pre-hearing Conference, the Committee of two
Energy Commissioners conducting the Pico Power Project
proceedings will assess the readiness of all parties for the
first Evidentiary Hearing scheduled for May 7, 2003.
Public input is an important part of the Energy
Commission's power plant licensing process. To find out how
to participate, contact 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
# # #
![[ News Release picture montage ]](../images/news_release_banner04.jpg)