oxnard peaker briefing - oxnard journal · –attend and speak in support at ccc public hearing on...

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

McGrath Peaker Project

Briefing

Oxnard, 2009

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON- 1 -

What’s a Peaker?

• Small electrical power plant

• Available when needed

• Operates during periods of high electricity demand

• Provides local electric system support and improves reliability

• Emergencies

• Fueled by natural gas


Background

• In August 2006, the California Public Utility Commission directed SCE to build up to 250 MW of peaking generation (“Peakers”) due to concerns about system reliability during Summer 2007

• SCE proposed 5 Peakers:

– Barre – Orange Co.

– Mira Loma – Riverside/San Bernardino Co.

– Center – Los Angeles Co.

– Grapeland – San Bernardino Co.

– McGrath – Ventura Co.

• The above Peakers are operational today except for McGrath, which was not approved by the City of Oxnard


Environmentally Sound Project

• Constructed on SCE land formerly occupied by fuel tanks

– Industrial property adjacent to Reliant Mandalay Generating Station

• Parcel is zoned for Energy Production in the Oxnard Local Coastal Plan

• No significant adverse environmental impacts from proposed project:

– Site is graded and devoid of vegetation or other biological resources

– No potential for water quality or water use impacts

– No significant visual impacts

– No potential transportation impacts

– No significant air quality impacts, including GHGs

– Mitigation measures protect sensitive birds and vegetation

– Consistent with Coastal Act, which protects the coastline


Proposed Peaker Site Plan


Visual Simulation From Harbor Boulevard


Visual Simulation from Mandalay Beach


McGrath Peaker Provides Emergency Power

• Has emergency start (“black start”) capability

• Peaker would quickly restore power to critical customers in Oxnard (such as hospitals) during emergencies

• Peaker would then start two local Reliant power plants

• Allows full power to be restored within hours to a single day

• Provides emergency power restoration capability to 21 cities.


Cities Protected


Natural Disasters Could Interrupt PowerPublic Safety Could Be Affected

• Major earthquakes

– Northridge (1994)

– Sylmar (1971)

• Fires

– Gap (2008)

– Zaca (2007)

– Santa Barbara (1995)

• Worst-case scenario

– Transmission lines, substations

damaged.

– Local generation plants shut down due

to loss of transmission lines

Affected:

Hospitals

Emergency Responders

American Red Cross

Fire Fighters

Police / Sheriff

Elderly / Care Facilities

Residents / Businesses


Benefits to Local Community

Jobs

• Local Jobs– Construction = 90 to

120 direct jobs

– 100,000 man-hours

– $15 million in wages

– $150K-$200K annual local expenditure for labor and materials to maintain facility

– Local labor agreement



Taxes

• Taxes– $660,000 in property

taxes annually to Ventura County for:• county services

• local cities

• school districts

• libraries

• fire protection

• flood control

• water districts

• redevelopment projects



Economy

• Economy– Ensures adequate power

during peak periods

• Avoids interruptions

– Restores electricity quickly during emergencies

• Prevents/Minimizes: Loss of sales for local

businesses

Down time for manufacturing facilities

Loss of perishable goods

Damage to equipment or data loss

Injuries


Your Community Needs the McGrath Peaker

And we need Your Help!

• Environmentally Sound

• Good for Jobs, Taxes and Local Economy

• Important for Public Safety

• Provides Reliable and Efficient Local Power

• Protects your Local Quality of Life

• What you can do:

– Letter to California Coastal Commission (CCC)

– Attend and speak in support at CCC public hearing on April 9 at Oxnard’s Performing Arts Center

– Write a letter-to-the-editor to the Ventura County Star

– Talk to you friends and neighbors and tell them about the importance of the project and correct any misinformation.

– Contact Rudy Gonzales at (805) 402-4403 for more information

oxnard peaker briefing - oxnard journal · –attend and speak in support at ccc public hearing on...

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