Gateway Generating Station (formerly Contra Costa Power Plant Unit 8)

Project Status: Licensed; In Compliance Phase.
Operational: January 4, 2009

The California Energy Commission approved this project's Application For Certification on May 30, 2001. The Commission monitors the power plant's construction, operation and eventual decommissioning through a compliance proceeding.

Key Dates

• 1/31/2000 - Application for Certification (AFC) filed
• 5/17/2000 - Commission accepts AFC as "data adequate."
• 11/7/2000 - Commission staff releases Preliminary Staff Analysis.
• 3/5/2001 - Commission staff releases Final Staff Analysis.
• 4/30/2001 - Committee releases Presiding Member's Proposed Decision.
• 5/30/2001 - Commission approves Application for Certification.
• 1/4/2009 - Power plant on line and producing power.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

In May 2001, the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) certified the Contra Costa Unit 8 Power Project (Unit 8) proposed by Mirant Delta, LLC (Mirant Delta). The nominal 530-megawatt natural gas-fired, combined cycle combustion turbine power plant is located within the site complex of Mirant Delta’s existing Contra Costa Power Plant (CCPP) in Contra Costa County, just north of the City of Antioch.

Mirant Delta began construction shortly after the project was certified but suspended all construction in 2002 due to financial difficulties. On July 27, 2006, the Energy Commission approved addition of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) as co-owner of Unit 8 with Mirant Delta and to change the name of the facility from Contra Costa Unit 8 Power Project to Gateway Generating Station (GGS). On December 4, 2006, PG&E became the sole owner of CCPP-Unit 8.

On January 3, 2007 the Energy Commission approved PG&E’s request to change the projects name from Contra Costa Power Plant Unit 8 to Gateway Generating Station (GGS). Construction of GGS began in February 2007.

On August 1, 2007, the Energy Commission approved a petition to amend the proposed GGS to eliminate use of San Joaquin River water for cooling and replace the wet cooling tower with an air cooled condenser and a wet surface air cooler, and the elimination of the use of steam power augmentation and the addition of an oil/water separator several other design modifications.

The GGS first fired the gas turbines during November 2008, and began commercial operation on January 4, 2009.

On August 26, 2009, the Energy Commission issued an order amending the Final Energy Commission Decision by modifying equipment and changing various air quality conditions of certification.

Energy Commission Facility Certification Process

The California Energy Commission is the lead agency (for licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts and larger) 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:

John Heiser
Project Manager
Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection (STEP) Division
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-15
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-653-8236
E-mail: John.Heiser@energy.ca.gov

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: PublicAdviser@energy.ca.gov

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Media & Public Communications Office
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E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov