Tierra's plan: Let's look at the facts

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 20, 2007

TIERRA Energy of Austin, Texas, has applied to the California Energy Commission for approval to construct and operate an electric generating facility in Hayward. It's dubbed the Eastshore Energy Center.

This plant will house 14 350-ton internal combustion engines, with a rating exceeding 11,000 horsepower apiece. The 14 "exhaust pipes" for these engines are to be 70 feet tall.

The plant site is on the eastern edge of a commercial and industrial sector in Hayward.

A couple hundred yards farther east is zoned residential, both for apartments and single-family homes.

There are more than 10,000 people living within a few miles to the east. Child day-care centers, schools and a care facility for the elderly are all in the affected zone.

The site is on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay. In this regard, a key consideration is wind direction. The prevailing winds come across the Bay, moving west to east.

Despite the latest in pollution control technology, the exhaust pipes will be emitting airborne toxins and particulates.

Consequently, the exhaust plume will be carried directly to a densely populated residential area.

Despite the proposed sound muffling plan, noise pollution generated by 14 11,000-horsepower engines will also travel to the east, accentuated by the same wind conditions.

So who is affected? Hayward is an ethnically diverse, working- class community composed mainly of Latinos, Asians, blacks and Caucasians. There aren't very many doctors, lawyers or other high- powered professionals among the affected population.

The heart and soul of the matter is a reduced quality of life.

There are only negatives and not a single benefit of this plant, specifically for the people most affected.

There are many other flaws to Tierra's plan.

For example, the proposed site is in a zone where liquefaction is expected from an inevitable Bay Area earthquake. The site is near the Bay. The ecosystem of the Bay is fragile. There are two 10,000- gallon aqueous ammonia storage tanks planned for the site. Does it take a rocket scientist?

It is time to put an end to Tierra Energy's deceit and deception.

Examine the real facts.

The California Energy Commission should deny Tierra Energy's application.

Kevin Gillan is a Hayward resident.