Project Proceeding
Final Commission Decision
Released December 19, 2007
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Panoche Energy Center Power Plant Licensing Case
Docket Number:
06-AFC-5
(Application For Certification)
Committee Overseeing This Case:
Jeffrey Byron, Commissioner
Presiding Member
James Boyd, Commissioner
Associate Member
Hearing Officer: Paul Kramer
Key Dates
- 12/19/07 - Commission final decision approving license for the project.
- 11/14/07 - Committee releases Presiding Member's Proposed Decision.
- 9/17/07 - Staff releases Final Staff Assessment.
- 6/28/07 - Staff releases Preliminary Staff Assessment.
- 11/8/06 - Commission Declares Application "data adequate."
- 8/2/06 - Application for Certification (AFC) filed.
General Description of Project
The Panoche Energy Center (PEC) is a proposed simple-cycle electrical generating facility located within western Fresno County adjacent to the Panoche Hills and east of San Benito county line. The project site is approximately 50 miles west of the city of Fresno. The generating facility will include four General Electric LMS100 natural gas-fired combustion turbine generators (CTGs), each equipped with water injection to the combustors for reducing production of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with 19 percent aqueous ammonia injection to further reduce NOx emissions, and an oxidation catalyst to reduce carbon monoxide (CO). The total net generating capacity will be approximately 400 megawatts (MW).
The project area is located in the unincorporated area of western Fresno County, adjacent to the Panoche Hills and east of the San Benito County line. The site is approximately 50 miles west of the City of Fresno and approximately 2 miles east of Interstate 5. The site is more specifically described as the Southwest Quarter of Section 5, Township 15 South, Range 13 East, on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Quadrangle map (Figure 3.2-1). The assessor's parcel number (APN) is 027-060-78S.
The facility site will be located on a 12.8-acre site within a 128-acre parcel. The construction laydown area, including laydown and parking, consists of an 8-acre portion of the 128-acre parcel immediately south of the 12.8-acre plant site. The plant site and construction area are leased by the applicant from the property owners. The 128-acre parcel is currently in agricultural production with pomegranate trees. Offsite improvements associated with the project include a 400-foot paved access road south of West Panoche Road to the plant site, 2,400 linear feet of new gas pipeline, 300-foot transmission line to tie into the Panoche Substation, and the PG&E expansion of the Panoche Substation by approximately 1.1 acres south of the existing substation boundary.
Energy Commission Facility Certification Process
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.
For Questions About This Siting Case Contact:
Dale Rundquist
Compliance Project Manager
Systems Assessment & Facility Siting Division
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-15
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-651-2072
E-mail: DRundqui@energy.state.ca.us
For Questions About Participation In Siting Cases Contact:
Public Adviser
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: pao@energy.state.ca.us
News Media Please Contact:
Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us