- Project Owner
- Prologis, L.P.
- Docket Number
- 26-SPPE-02
- Location
- San Jose, California
- Technology
- Backup Generating System
- Project Status
- Under Review
- Project Type
- Small Power Plant Exemption
The Silver Creek Backup Generating Facility (SCBGF) would consist of forty-four (44) diesel-fired generators to be used to provide up to 99 megawatts (MW) of backup electricity generation to support the proposed Silver Creek Data Center (SCDC). Of the 44 generators, 42 generators would each have a generating capacity of 3 MW, and would be dedicated to replacing the electricity needs of the SCDC in case of a loss of power from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The remaining two generators would have a generating capacity of up to 1.5 MW each, and would be used to support general office loads along with building and life safety services during emergencies. The 44 generators would be arranged in a stacked configuration in a generation yard located adjacent to the SCDC. The project would include the construction of a new 115-34.5 kilovolt (kV), 100 mega volt-ampere (MVA) electrical substation adjacent to the SCDC. The proposed SCDC, SCBGF, and project substation would be located on a 15.13-acre site, at 5977 Silver Creek Valley Road, in San Jose, California.
The SCBGF would only be connected to the SCDC and would not be interconnected to the electrical transmission or distribution grid. The SCDC would be served electricity from the new Hellyer Switching Station, proposed to be built approximately 1,400 feet east of the SCDC site at 455 Piercey Road. The switching station would be constructed, owned, and operated by PG&E. PG&E would also construct an approximately 2,400-foot-long transmission line (either overhead or underground) from the Hellyer Switching Station to serve the SCDC.
Small Power Plant Exemption
The CEC has the exclusive authority to certify all thermal power plants 50 megawatts (MW) and larger and related facilities proposed for construction in California. The Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) process allows applicants with facilities between 50 and 100 MW to obtain an exemption from CEC’s jurisdiction and proceed with local permitting rather than requiring CEC certification. CEC can grant an exemption if it finds that the proposed facility would not create a substantial adverse impact on the environment or energy resources. Public Resources Code section 25519(c) designates CEC as the “lead agency”, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for all facilities seeking an SPPE. In granting an SPPE, the CEC is not the final approval necessary for construction and operation of a project. Instead, if the CEC grants an SPPE, the responsible local land use authorities and other agencies, such as the local air management district, will assume jurisdiction over the project under their respective permitting processes, and conduct any other necessary environmental review as “responsible agencies” under CEQA.
Original Proceeding
e-Commenting is currently closed and will open here when available.
Contacts
Project Manager
Kristy Chew
STEPsiting@energy.ca.gov
(Please enter project name in the email subject line)
916-259-5048
Public Participation Questions
Public Advisor
publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov
916-269-9595
Media Inquiries
Media & Public Communications Office
mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov
916-654-4989