In addition to the Metcalf Energy Center, the CEC is also evaluating the Delta Energy Center (DEC), a 880 MW natural gas-fired, combined cycle, electric generation facility near Pittsburg, CA proposed by Calpine and Bechtel. Here are some quotes from the Preliminary Staff Assessment recently released by the CEC for the Delta Energy Center:

"The proposed 230-kV electric transmission line will connect the DEC to the existing PG&E substation at the Pittsburg Power Plant 3.3 miles to the west of the proposed DEC site."

"Natural gas will be delivered to the DEC through a 5.2 mile pipeline."

"'Commissioning' is the technical term used to describe, in general, all the operations of the power plant once it has been physically installed but is not yet in commercial operation. Commissioning starts with the first firing of fuel in the GT/HRSG or in the auxiliary boilers. During commissioning the control systems are tested, the burners are tuned up, the inside and outside of tubes are cleaned up, and the control systems are installed after determining that there are no contaminants in the GT/HRSG that may damage the surfaces of the catalysts. It is important to emphasize that for a short period of time, during the commissioning period which can last for several months, the power plant will operate without emission controls."

[The document does say this should not be a problem because fuel consumed during this period is "expected" to be lower than during normal operations]

"In past siting cases some intervenors have argued that the ERCs are not actual mitigation since the emission reductions have already occurred and, therefore, ambient air quality can only deteriorate with the new source of emissions. However, the BAAQMD, in its AQMP, includes banked ERCs in its planning emissions inventories for future years as actual ongoing emissions (BAAQMD, 1997b). Therefore, the future effects of new sources due to emission increases are already taken into account in the AQMP, including the use of ERCs as a source of mitigation or offsets. The new source will not detract from the BAAQMD's attainment strategy. Consequently, we believe that banked offsets in this case constitute real mitigation of potential impacts from the proposed project in the context of the BAAQMD's overall attainment strategy."

[BAAQMD - Bay Area Air Quality Management District, AQMP - Air Quality Management Plans, ERCs - emission reduction credits]

"The site is currently undeveloped and designated General Industry (IG) on the City of Pittsburg General Plan Land Use Map. According to the General Plan, the IG land-use classification is defined to include 'large areas of major industrial manufacturing uses, including the existing operations such as USS-POSCO (formerly U.S. Steel) and Dow Chemical.'"

The DEC Preliminary Staff Assessment can be found at
http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/delta/documents/1999-07-30_DE LTA_PSA.PDF