Sentinel Power Project increases reliability to protect against blackouts

Public Record, The, Aug 28, 2007 by Marra, Bob

A new standby power generating facility is being proposed by Competitive Power Ventures, Inc. (CPV) to help secure a reliable energy future for the region and provide reliable, environmentally friendly electricity during high demand times for the entire Coachella Valley.

The Sentinel Power Project, which would be built on 37 acres next to Southern California Edison's Devers substation north of Dillon Road and east of Highway 62, is capable of providing up to 800 megawatts of electricity, enough power to protect the entire Coachella Valley. The project is intended for stand by use, only called into service during times of peak power demand, when the regional electric grid is overloaded and at risk of blackouts. The extra, quick start power will help stabilize the grid to avoid power outages.

"Emergency, standby power generation benefits the entire Coachella Valley region, especially during the hot, summer months when we need it most," John Soulliere, President and CEO of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership stated. "Standby power increases reliability and improves energy stability for the region, particularly in regards to economic impact."

The Sentinel project will create 350 new, family wage construction jobs with a $40 million annual payroll, according to Mark Turner, CPV Vice President. In addition, more than $8 million a year in new property and local sales tax revenue will be generated. The project represents a total private investment of $500 million in the Coachella Valley.

"The City of Desert Hot Springs can certainly use the substantial new tax revenues this project would provide," said Scott Matas, member of the Desert Hot Springs City Council. "We look forward to participating in the public review process and working with the project sponsors to insure that all impacts can be addressed."

The standby energy project is being developed in response to requests from Southern California utility providers for new generation capacity to meet the growing local demand for peak power. CPV Sentinel will be located in an area already zoned for power projects, adjacent to an existing power substation and electrical transmission lines near Interstate Highway 10.

Access to adequate, reliable power is a must for local communities pursuing sustainable development for the future. A new, standby power facility, in concert with existing and planned alternative energy supply, will provide the Coachella Valley with sufficient energy to support future economic growth without the need for major new transmission facilities or fear of power shortages or blackouts.

The Coachella Valley energy use more than triples during the summer months, stressing an already maxed out energy supply system. A reliable source of standby power helps stabilize the overall system, avoid blackouts and prevent associated threats to public health and safety.

"Because the Sentinel project can be turned on at a moments notice to respond to increased consumer demands during the long, hot desert summer, it will be an excellent compliment to the nearby wind generation facilities which cannot cycle up as demand dictates," Turner said. "Additionally, as the valley is a net importer of electricity, the addition of significant capacity at the source of demand reduces local dependence on power generated elsewhere."

The California Independent System Operator has estimated that California needs to add a number of new power plants in order to meet the growing demands of an expanding population and economy.

To this end, in February Southern California Edison was awarded a long-term contract to supply additional power and Blythe Energy was selected to provide a new transmission link. The California Public Utilities Commission has ordered Edison to procure 1,500 megawatts of additional capacity by 2013, and to bring more power online as early as 2007, because of both rising demand the phased closing of older power plants.

The CPV Sentinel Project will be among the cleanest power plants in the county, using only clean-burning natural gas and equipped with state-of-the-art design features and emissions controls. It will utilize the most stringent level of air pollution control for any plant in the country and insure that there will be no net impact to local air quality. The project proposes to use recycled water as well as fund $17 million in upgrades for the Horton Waste Water Treatment Plant in Desert Hot Springs for the benefit for Mission Springs Water District rate payers.

The California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the Mission Springs Water District are all in the process of review and consideration of the project.

The California Energy Commission is the lead agency for review and approval of the project. The public review process is expected to take at least twelve months and include numerous opportunities for review and comment from the local community.

The CEC requires an exhaustive review of the project and its potential for impact. While CPV does not anticipate any significant impacts which cannot be mitigated, the company is committed to working with the community to address any questions or concerns, Turner stated.