Project Description

The project as proposed by Calpine Corporation is a 500 megawatt, natural gas-fired, combined- cycle power plant. The combined-cycle design consists of two combustion turbine generators (CTGs), two heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) with duct burners and a steam turbine generator (STG).

The Sutter Power Project will be located adjacent to Calpine's Greenleaf Unit #1 Cogeneration Power Plant, approximately seven miles southwest of Yuba City, on South Township Road near the intersection with Best Road. The land dedicated for the facility will comprise 10-12 acres of Calpine's existing 77-acre parcel (Sutter County Assessor's Parcel Number 21-230-25). Since the land is currently zoned for agricultural uses, Calpine will request Sutter County to permit a change in zoning from agricultural to a Planned Development site for the entire 77-acre parcel.

A new 4.0 mile 230 kilovolt (kV) overhead electric transmission line will be built to a switching station which will interconnect to the Western Area Power Administration (Western) electrical transmission system. A new 12 mile natural gas pipeline will be constructed to provide fuel for the project. The 16 inch gas pipeline will connect to an existing PG&E natural gas supply line located to the west of the facility site. Potable water and cooling water will be provided by an on-site well system that will be developed as part of the project. It is expected that three wells will be developed to provide approximately 3,000 gallons per minute of water that will be needed during peak operating conditions. Sanitary waste will be disposed to an on-site septic system. All other wastewater generated in the operation of the plant will be discharged to the existing surface drainage system requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.

The capital cost of the project is estimated at about $250-285 million. The electricity generated from the proposed project will be sold in California's emerging competitive electricity market.

Purpose of the Informational Hearing/NEPA Scoping Meeting

Licensing of the electric generating plant and related facilities, such as the transmission line and natural gas pipeline, is under the Energy Commission's jurisdiction. The powerplant certification process, which contains requirements equivalent to those under the California Environmental Quality Act, will examine all relevant engineering and environmental aspects of the proposed project. This process provides a public forum allowing the Applicant, Commission staff, interested parties, governmental agencies, and members of the public to consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of the project and to propose changes or alternatives to the project as necessary.

Because the project will tie into Western's high voltage transmission line, the review of the project will be completed jointly with Western. Western will act as the project lead Federal agency for purposes of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, as well as other Federal laws, regulations, and policies. The Informational Hearing/Scoping Meeting will satisfy the requirements for both the AFC process and the NEPA process. Both agencies will work together to prepare a joint document to satisfy the requirements of both processes. The joint document will be referred to as the Final Staff Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

At the Informational Hearing, members of the public and representatives of governmental agencies will have an opportunity to obtain information and to offer comments on the application. The Applicant will explain plans for developing the proposed site and related facilities. Energy Commission staff will explain the administrative licensing process and their role in reviewing the application. Applicant and Staff will also discuss proposed schedules and possible issues which may be significant during this proceeding.

In order to assist participants in understanding the project, Staff shall prepare and serve, upon those listed on the Proof of Service List, a written statement summarizing the potential major issues in this case no later than February 17, 1998. All other desiring a copy of the Staff statement may obtain one by calling Luz Manriquez-Uresti, Project Secretary, at (916) 654-3928.

Following the Informational Hearing, the Applicant will host a visit to the project site. Transportation will be available. Members of the public and governmental agencies are invited to participate in this tour; those desiring to attend should so notify Ms. Roberta Mendonca, at (916) 654-4489, no later than February 24, 1998.

Members of the public and interested governmental agencies may participate in all phases of the process in a variety of ways. Technical questions concerning the project should be addressed to Paul Richins, the Commission's Project Manager, at (916) 654-4074 or E-mail: PRICHINS@energy.state.ca.us

Questions of a legal or procedural nature should be directed to Gary Fay, the Hearing Officer, at (916) 654-3865 or E-mail: GFAY@energy.state.ca.us

If you want information concerning public participation, please contact Ms. Roberta Mendonca, the Commission's Public Adviser, at (916) 654-4489 or, toll free in California, at (800) 822-6228.

If you require special accommodations, contact Robert Sifuentes at 654-5004, five days prior to the meeting.

Information about the project is available on the Energy Commission's web site at: www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/sutterpower.

For information regarding the Federal process or the National Environmental Policy Act, please contact Loreen McMahon, Project Manager for Western Area Power Administration, at (916) 353-4460.

For information on the interconnection to Western's transmission system, please contact Morteza Sabet, Manager of Resources & Planning for Western Area Power Administration, at (916) 353-4489.

Dated: January 30, 1998

ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

_____//signed//_____
MICHAL C. MOORE
Commissioner Presiding Committee Member

_____//signed//_____
WILLIAM J. KEESE
Chairman Associate Committee Member

PROOF OF SERVICE

DOCKET UNIT

The original signed document plus the required 12 copies to the address below:

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
Docket Unit, MS-4
Docket No. 97-AFC-2
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

(The Docket Unit will distribute theses copies to the Committee members and their advisors; see page 3).

APPLICANT

Curt Hildebrand
Calpine Corporation
50 W. San Fernando Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Charlene Wardlow
Calpine Corporation
1160 N. Dutton, Ste. 200
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

David Augustine
Foster Wheeler Environmental
2525 Natomas Park Drive, Ste. 250
Sacramento, CA 95833-2900

Bonnie Hays
Bonnie Hays Consulting
P.O. ox 4448
Davis, CA 95617

Karen Edson/Carolyn Baker
Edson and Modisette
925 L Street, Ste. 1490
Sacramento, CA 95814

Christopher T. Ellison
Ellison & Schneider
2015 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

INTERESTED AGENCIES

Western Area Power Administration
114 Parkshore Drive
Folsom, CA 95630-4710
Attn: Loreen McMahon

Jeff Miller
California Independent System Operator
151 Blue Ravin Road
Folsom, CA 95630

INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS

Marc D. Joseph
Adams, Broadwell & Joseph
651 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 900
South San Francisco, CA 94080

Diane I. Fellman, Esq.
234 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Attn: Law Offices
77 Beale Street
San Francisco, CA 94106

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

___________________________________
(Signature)