To: [email protected]
From: Mario Blaum/Almaden/IBM@IBMUS
Subject: Calpine plant

Dear Charlotte, unfortunately, due to a business trip, I could not assist the other day to the Calpine open house regarding their projected electrical plant in Coyote Valley. My wife told me that you were very undecided with respect to it, statement confirmed the day after in your declarations to the Mercury News.

You have been a fine representative of our district so far. I believe that this one is the most important decision you will make as our representative. It is important that you make the right decision, so I applaud your caution (although most people I talked to were pretty upset about your indecision over an issue that is very clear to them). What happens is that, as neighbors in the affected area, our position is entirely clear: the construction of this plant would be a disgrace. How did I reach to this conclusion? During the weekend, I've read carefully the material presented both by Calpine and by the opponents to the project. According to Calpine itself, the plant will throw into the air tons of pollutants. Their excuse is that it will be less than what other plants produce, since the new design is much more modern. However, pollution in San Jose is already very high, last year we did have several smog alerts. I cannot see how the situation will improve (specially for asthmatic people like myself) by throwing more pollutants into the air, even if the amount of pollutants is less than those produced by older plants. The second question is, is this plant essential to San Jose? By the company's own admission, it will create only 20 jobs, out of the temporary ones during the highly disruptive construction process. The company's blueprint shows horrible towers looming into what is now a bucolic rural landscape.

The residents of San Jose will not see any reductions in their electricity rates, since this is not a plant addressed to San Jose needs, but it will be part of the regional grid. Why do they need to install it next to an urban area? Because this way, the company maximizes its profits, it is not so convenient for them to install it in an isolated area. That is understandable from the point of view of Calpine, but I cannot see any benefit to our community. Finally, what will happen once the plant is constructed and the community has complaints? Again, we can refer to the company's own admissions (I am trying to avoid citing what the opponents say). There is a Calpine plant in Gilroy, and the representatives of Calpine said that they had not heard of any complaints from Gilroy residents. However, the Gilroy residents did have all kind of complaints against the plant, as you can personally verify by talking to them. So, that is what we can expect once the plant is finished: Calpine will not hear from us. This is the moment to stop them. Look at the sneaky way in which they want to impose this construction on us: they choose a year in which there are no elections, and the voters cannot decide on the project, it is up to their representatives for approval. This construction was not an issue in any local race. Rich companies always find a way to convince politicians. Fortunately, it has not been the case with you so far. I hope you make the right decision.

Sincerely,
- Mario Blaum

Mario Blaum
Tel. (408) 927-2179
[email protected]