Amador County – A public hearing this Friday will review an appeal to a recently approved permit granting construction of a diesel engine power plant at Kirkwood Ski Resort. Both the Kirkwood ski resort and surrounding residences have been served by a temporary power plant after the permanent plant was destroyed by a powerhouse fire on new Year’s Day. The authority to operate the temporary generators will expire in January, 2011. As proposed, the new plant will truck in diesel to the area, which is independent from the national power grid. Construction of the new plant was approved by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District on May 24. The appeal is sought by the SMART Energy group, which says in its appellant statement that “the District approved construction of an all-diesel power plant despite the availability of feasible alternatives that would reduce the proposed plant’s adverse impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and human health.” Instead, the group proposes the construction of a “bi-fuel plant powered by 90 percent natural gas.” Both natural gas and diesel gas would need to be transported to the plant by truck, but natural gas opponents feel that alternative will be cheaper and cleaner after the initial investment is made. Among other complaints, SMART Energy group says the cost of a grid connection may exceed $35 million for Kirkwood’s 600 residents, and a “fuel source should not be determined until all the environmental impacts associated have been disclosed.” Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities District staff members are recommending a denial of the appeal based on concerns including safety, location, costs and technological feasibility. Those speaking on behalf of the plant at the meeting will include Everand Ashworth, a Principal with environmental consulting group Ashworth Leininger. He contends that diesel with pollution controls is the best means to supply residents with electricity. Under state law, the district must pick the best available control activity. If natural gas were chosen for Kirkwood, the district would have to extend the permit allowing the temporary plant while an assessment on transportation and storage was conducted, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The public hearing will take place this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Markleeville, located approximately 42 minutes east of Kirkwood. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – A public hearing this Friday will review an appeal to a recently approved permit granting construction of a diesel engine power plant at Kirkwood Ski Resort. Both the Kirkwood ski resort and surrounding residences have been served by a temporary power plant after the permanent plant was destroyed by a powerhouse fire on new Year’s Day. The authority to operate the temporary generators will expire in January, 2011. As proposed, the new plant will truck in diesel to the area, which is independent from the national power grid. Construction of the new plant was approved by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District on May 24. The appeal is sought by the SMART Energy group, which says in its appellant statement that “the District approved construction of an all-diesel power plant despite the availability of feasible alternatives that would reduce the proposed plant’s adverse impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and human health.” Instead, the group proposes the construction of a “bi-fuel plant powered by 90 percent natural gas.” Both natural gas and diesel gas would need to be transported to the plant by truck, but natural gas opponents feel that alternative will be cheaper and cleaner after the initial investment is made. Among other complaints, SMART Energy group says the cost of a grid connection may exceed $35 million for Kirkwood’s 600 residents, and a “fuel source should not be determined until all the environmental impacts associated have been disclosed.” Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities District staff members are recommending a denial of the appeal based on concerns including safety, location, costs and technological feasibility. Those speaking on behalf of the plant at the meeting will include Everand Ashworth, a Principal with environmental consulting group Ashworth Leininger. He contends that diesel with pollution controls is the best means to supply residents with electricity. Under state law, the district must pick the best available control activity. If natural gas were chosen for Kirkwood, the district would have to extend the permit allowing the temporary plant while an assessment on transportation and storage was conducted, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The public hearing will take place this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Markleeville, located approximately 42 minutes east of Kirkwood. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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