This THURSDAY the California Energy Commission will be shaping the future of reliable energy for Southern California by voting on whether to approve the Puente Power Project. The project will integrate additional renewable energy sources while ensuring a stable and reliable supply of electricity in our region.
Can you please do these 4 things right now to support reliable energy for Southern California?
1. CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL to the California Energy Commission expressing your support for the project. (The link will generate a pre-written email in your email program. Just add your name and send.)
2. MAKE A PHONE CALL:
Call the California Energy Commission – (800) 555-7794
Please say this when you call:
“As a BizFed member and a member of with [employees/members] who demand reliable energy across Southern California, I’m calling to voice my strong support of NRG’s Puente Power Project. The project will, among other things: incorporate the latest technologies to help integrate renewable energy supplies; ensure the Southern California region has a reliable supply of local energy generation; act as a “peaking” unit that can provide power during critical needed times across Southern California. I urge you to do everything in your power to get this project moving right away.”
3. SEND YOUR OWN LETTER before the hearing to the California Energy Commission. Click here to download a word version of the BizFed letter you can personalize.
4. JOIN US TO TESTIFY at the California Energy Commission (CEC) meeting, Thursday, August 27, 5:30 p.m., Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA. A plant tour will be provided prior to the hearing at 4:30 p.m.. Please contact Linda Bermudez, linda.bermudez@bizfed.org, if you can be there and she’ll send you talking points.
For many years, two large electricity generation units at the Mandalay Generating Station have provided power for the Oxnard, CA area and beyond. This current situation, however, will have to change by 2020 in order to comply with “Once-Through-Cooling” requirements. To do so means either retrofitting the units with an alternative cooling approach or replacing them entirely with a more modern, efficient unit that does not rely on ocean water.
The Puente Power Project, when implemented, will serve as a bridge to California’s energy future. The finished unit will be a very flexible, fast-start and efficient power plant – one that can help integrate additional renewable energy sources while ensuring a stable and reliable supply of electricity. Specifically, this means the ability to come up to full power within minutes should renewable generation slow down and, alternatively, reduce power output when renewable sources are sufficient to meet demand. The facility will also require very little water to operate, making it ideal in drought-constrained scenarios.
If you’re interested in more background on the project, here are some resources:
BizFed Support Letter for NRG Puente Project
Facts About NRG Puente Project
FAQ About NRG Puente Project
Please act now, and remember to let us know you took action so we can credit your efforts!
