HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04132010 - C.15RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair 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 primary concerns noted for additional analysis
are ensuring that the power plan:
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 04/13/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
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: April 13, 2010
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: EMY L. SHARP, Deputy
cc:
C. 15
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Keith Freitas, Airports Director
Date:April 13, 2010
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)
• Will not interfere with air navigation and will not pose a hazard to aeronautical activities
due to its close proximity to the main precision instrument runway (Runway 30) nor
hinder future instrument approach upgrades to any runway
• Will not pose a hazard to aeronautical activities due to its close proximity to the
established Byron Airport traffic pattern, both downwind leg and 45 degree pattern
entrance, for Runways 5 and 23. As well as the departure path for Runway 12;
• Will not pose a hazard to any of the various aeronautical activities at Byron Airport that
include vintage military jet aircraft, corporate jet aircraft, single and twin piston aircraft,
light sport aircraft, motorized parasail, ultra-light and skydiving;
• Will not attract birds to or near the airport; and
• Meet all standards set forth in the Byron Airport Master Plan
This letter 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 power plant permitting process to both
identify and request additional studies to address the County’s concerns to minimize
impacting the Byron Airport’s utility and/or the safety of aeronautical operations in the
area.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
ATTACHMENTS
Draft letter