Colusa Plant to Get OK From Energy Panel
By John Dickey, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
Mar. 15–A California Energy Commission committee is recommending that a Colusa power plant project go ahead if emergency response concerns can be worked out, according to a decision published Friday.
The proposed decision on the Colusa Generating Station says that Pacific Gas & Electric should provide $230,000 in upfront funds to the Maxwell Fire Protection District. The utility must work with the district to address public safety concerns, using a consultant if necessary to work out the details.
An energy commission compliance officer would have the final say in the event of an impasse over funding the fire district, according to the decision posted Friday on the energy commission’s Web site.
Maxwell Fire Protection District Commissioner Mike Riordan said the decision was what the district was looking for.
Riordan said it provides for an independent party to determine the impact to the district, if the firefighters and PG&E cannot agree on an amount.
“I think it’s going to give us an avenue to get us the funding we need, on an ongoing basis,” said Riordan.
The all-volunteer district has never been against the power plant, said Riordan. But it wants full-time staffers so it can respond to any plant emergency. It has asked for at least $230,000 per year to fund the costs.
Friday’s decision also calls for the power plant owner to address the impacts of using a temporary “jumper” bridge over the Glenn-Colusa Canal Bridge. The bridge would carry construction traffic during plant construction.
The California Energy Commission will take up the proposed decision on April 23 following a committee hearing on the decision.
PG&E is proposing to start construction on the 660-megawatt Colusa Generating Station as soon as this year. The gas-fired plant to be located 14 miles north of Williams is expected to cost from $450 million to $500 million with generation possible by spring of 2010.
Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter John Dickey at 749-4711 or jdickey@appealdemocrat.com.
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Copyright (c) 2008, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
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