AES generators may be on line in two months

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The California Energy Commission has fast-tracked

plans by AES Corp. to retrofit its Surf City power plant, and may cut the

12-month certification process required before two defunct generators can

be brought on line down to just 60 days.

The commission began the yearlong review process for the AES project

Feb. 7, but could shorten the time frame in response to a series of

executive orders by Gov. Gray Davis.

Those orders, released Friday, are geared at streamlining the red tape

needed for the construction of new power plants or retooling projects in

existing facilities like AES Huntington Beach.

“This is a major milestone for our project,” said Ed Blackford,

president and site manager of the Huntington Beach power plant, of the

initial 12-month process, adding that he did feel some relief that the

project was moving forward.

Aaron Thomas, AES’s government relations manager, said it was unclear

at first whether the power plant would qualify under Davis’ expedited

review order.

AES officials hope to start up power-generating units No. 3 and No. 4

at their Newland Street location. The generators were retired in 1995 by

previous plant owner Southern California Edison Co., remaining silent

until the present power crisis struck across state.

Blackford has said the project would increase the plant’s

electricty-generating capacity by about 450 megawatts, almost twice the

power produced today. Generators No. 1 and No. 2 produce about 430

megawatts together, with a smaller unit generating about 133 megawatts of electricity.

One megawatt can power 1,000 homes.

In light of the current need for energy across California, city

officials hope the certification process will address environmental

issues before the additional units are started.

“Obviously, we’ve made our concerns quite clear on a number of

environmental issues, particularly the plant’s possible role in bacteria

found in the ocean,” said Rich Barnard, a city spokesman. “We recognize

the need for energy, but also realize the responsibility needed to be

sure nothing is overlooked for the sake of that energy.”

City officials hope other issues, such as air pollution, water quality

and plant aesthetics, will be addressed during the certification process.

AES officials are planning to drastically cut down the plants

emissions of nitrogen oxide, a gas pollutant produced by generating

power, using catalytic converters that serve as emission scrubbers. That

plan has also drawn concern from the city, which wants assurance that the

chemical ammonia used in the converters will be handled safely.

AES officials said once units No. 3 and No. 4 are fired up, they would

generate about 15% of the 3,000-megawatt shortfall expected this

summer.Commission officials said that a public workshop will be held

today between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to discuss the problems related with the

retooling project. Residents and other interested parties can phone in

and hear the meeting.

Commissioners also plan a site visit and an informational hearing will

be held in Huntington Beach Feb. 21.

FYI:

Residents can listen to today’s workshop by calling (800) 403-2022,

and using the identification number 750343. A public hearing is set for 5

p.m. Wednesday at the Huntington Beach Central Library Theater, 7771

Talbert Ave. For information, call Roberta Mendonca at (800) 822-6228 or

e-mail her ato7 [email protected] Further information about

the project and siting process is available at o7

www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/huntingtonbeach.f7