The California Energy Commission SMUD Cosumnes Committee (Committee) is reviewing an Application for Certification (AFC) by SMUD to construct two 500 megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants near the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant.

The Committee will conduct the second of two Prehearing Conferences, ultimately covering the topics listed in the side bar. The parties, public, and interested agencies are encouraged to attend and make comments on the topics to be discussed listed in the side bar. Written comments on the topics can be submitted to the Energy Commission, Docket Unit (01-AFC-19), 1516 - 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 before May 12, 2003.

Documents: The Applicant's information concerning the potential project impacts is found in its AFC and data responses. In addition, the Staff of the Energy Commission will publish an independent analysis on Biology and Alternatives in the Final Staff Assessment (FSA), Part 3 to be released no later than April 22, 2003.

The FSA, Part 3 will be available in a printed version as well as for viewing on the Energy Commission Web Site:

As a convenience, parties and members of the public who cannot attend the hearing in person may participate by calling the toll-free number for the proceeding: 1-888-788-1721. (Passcode: "SMUD" Leader: "Garret Shean.")

The Committee will conduct a Prehearing Conference to assess readiness for evidentiary hearings, to identify areas of agreement and dispute, and discuss procedures for the evidentiary hearing.

The Hearing Officer has prepared a draft list of topics for the second evidentiary hearings based upon remarks at the last evidentiary hearing and information received from the parties to date. (See Appendix A) Parties who wish to change, add, or delete an item from Appendix A- Order of Testimony should attend the Prehearing Conference or file and serve a Prehearing Conference Statement, on or before April 28, 2003.

May 12 & 13, 2003, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hendrickson Hall, 12746 Ivie Road, Herald California

Members of the public may participate in all phases of the licensing process in a variety of ways. If you need information concerning public participation, please contact Roberta Mendonca, the Energy Commission's Public Adviser, at 916-654-4489 or, toll free in California, at 800-822-6228, or by e-mail at: [pao@energy.state.ca.us]. Persons requiring special assistance contact Lou Quiroz, (916) 654-5146, five days prior to the hearing..

Information concerning the status of the project, notices, and other relevant documents are available on the Commission's Web Site at:

www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/smud/

Technical questions concerning the project should be addressed to the Energy Commission Staff's Project Manager, Kristy Chew, at 916-654-3929 or e-mail at: [kchew@energy.state.ca.us].

Questions of a legal or procedural nature should be directed to Garret Shean, the Hearing Officer, at 916-654-3893 or e-mail at: [gshean@energy.state.ca.us].

Media inquiries should be directed to Claudia Chandler, Assistant Executive Director for Media and Public Communications, at 916-654-4989 or by e-mail at: [energia@energy.ca.gov]