On December 18, 1998, the joint partnership of Calpine Corporation and San Francisco-based Bechtel Enterprises Inc., an affiliate of Bechtel Group Inc., file an Application for Certification (AFC) seeking approval from the Energy Commission to construct and operate the Delta Energy Center. The project is a 880 megawatt (MW), natural gas-fired, combined cycle electric generation facility. The Delta Energy Center is proposed to be located on an undeveloped 20-acre parcelat the Dow Chemical Company facility located generally north and west of the Delta Diablo Sanitation District treatmentfacility.

A new 3.3-mile, 230 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line is proposed This line will interconnect to the electric transmission system at the existing Pacific Gas and Electric Company substation near the Pittsburg Power Plant. The line will be above ground as it runs in front of the USS POSCO, then will transition to underground along 8th Street. An 0.8-mile underground 13.8 kV line will be built to supply electricity to Dow Chemical. A new, 5.3-mile natural gas pipeline will be placed in the existing Dow Chemical right-of-way along the Santa Fe Railroad and will connect to PG&E's Antioch natural gas terminal. Water for the cooling towers will be secondary-treated wastewater from the Delta Diablo Sanitation District, which will receive additional treatment on the project site to comply with the requirements of the Department of Health Services. A short water supply line will be constructed from Delta Diablo to the project. Water for steam production and domestic uses will be supplied by the Contra Costa Water District and transported in Dow's existing 20-inch pipeline. All plant discharges will be sent back to the Delta Diablo Sanitation District for disposal in its existing discharge pipe. Approximately 200,000lb/hr of saturated steam will be supplied to Dow Chemical in a 0.7- mile above ground insulated carbon steel pipeline. Condensate will be returned in an uninsulated pipe carried on the same structures.

The Energy Commission is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has a certified regulatory program under CEQA. Under its certified program, the Energy Commission is exempt from having to prepare an environmental impact report. Its certified program, however, does require environmental analysis of the project, including an analysis of alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize any significant adverse effect the project may have on the environment.

Page Updated: September 10, 2004