HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12152009 - C.10RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, to
sign a letter to the California Energy Commission (CEC) regarding the proposed
construction of a power plant in Alameda County approximately 2.66 miles southeast of the
Byron Airport. The letter requests that specific scientific studies be completed to ensure that
the proposed location of this power plant would not pose any hazards to aeronautical
activities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no expected financial impacts from this action.
BACKGROUND:
Diamond Energy Company has proposed, through the CEC, building a power plant
approximately 2.66 miles southeast of the Byron Airport. The power plant would be located
in Alameda County. Airport staff has identified some areas of concern regarding other
power plants that have been constructed near airports. Local pilots and pilot associations
have also expressed similar concerns. The focus of these concerns relate to possible
disruption of flight caused by the power
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 12/15/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:Continued to Undetermined Date.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Keith Freitas, (925)
646-5722
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board
of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 15, 2009
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: EMY L. SHARP, Deputy
cc:
C.10
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Keith Freitas, Airports Director
Date:December 15, 2009
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair to sign a letter to the
California Energy Commission.
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
plant exhaust plumes. Additionally, there are other areas of concern that should be
evaluated, i.e. would the power plants operation be a bird attractant.
This letter to the CEC requests that scientific analysis be conducted for each of these
areas of concern before a final decision is made by the CEC. It appears that the CEC has
sole authority in determining whether or not to approve the construction of the proposed
power plant. This letter expresses the County’s goals of protecting both the future utility
of the Byron Airport and the safety of the aeronautical users in the area.
On November 2, 2009, the Airport Committee reviewed and supported the attached letter
and requested that it be sent to the full Board for approval. During their October and
November meetings, the Aviation Advisory Committee reviewed this issue and also
supported the attached letter. Finally, the Contra Costa County Airport Land Use
Commission has prepared their own letter to the CEC on the matter, which outlines
similar concerns.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not provide input into the CEC process that details the County’s
concerns and additional studies warranted to address those concur (related to the possible
construction of a power plant near the Byron Airport), which ultimately may impact the
Airport’s utility and or the safety of aeronautical operations in the area.
ATTACHMENTS
CEC letter
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment D
Attachments E through I
Attachments J through N
Attachment O