Proposed Decision Recommends License For Watson Cogeneration Steam And Electric Reliability Project
Sacramento, CA - A California Energy Commission siting committee is recommending the approval of the proposed Watson Cogeneration Steam and Electric Reliability Project in Carson.
In the presiding member's proposed decision (PMPD) released recently, the committee said the 85-megawatt (MW) project, as mitigated, will have no significant impacts on the environment and complies with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
The project will increase and improve the reliability of the steam supply and electric power at the BP Carson Refinery. It plans to do so by increasing the capacity of the existing 385-MW Watson Cogeneration Facility by 85 MW with the addition of a combustion turbine generator. The applicant, Watson Cogeneration Company, is a joint partnership between subsidiaries of BP America and Edison Mission Energy.
The proposed decision was based solely on evidence developed in evidentiary hearings during the facility's certification proceeding.
The PMPD is not a final decision on the project. The siting committee released the document for 30 days of public comment. The committee will consider input before bringing the proposed decision to the full Energy Commission. The entire document can be found on the Energy Commission's website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/watson/documents/index.html
The PMPD determined that the record, which contains a detailed environmental impact assessment required by the California Environmental Quality Act, was adequate. The record includes the Energy Commission staff's thorough and independent assessment of the project's potential impacts on the environment, public health, and safety.
The project site consists of 2.5 acres within the boundary of the existing Watson Cogeneration Facility, which is located in the city of Carson (Los Angeles County). The 21.7-acre facility supplies steam to and is integral to the adjacent BP Carson Refinery.
Construction is expected to last 26 months. Eighty construction workers would be required during peak construction in the twelfth month. No additional full-time employees will be required when the project is operational.
SOURCE: The California Energy Commission