Dear Editor, In response to the article by Matt King on Dec. 17
and to the Time’s editorial of Jan. 3, I would like to set the
record straight regarding the reason for the ambient air monitoring
stations being installed by the Metcalf Energy Center.
Dear Editor,
In response to the article by Matt King on Dec. 17 and to the Time’s editorial of Jan. 3, I would like to set the record straight regarding the reason for the ambient air monitoring stations being installed by the Metcalf Energy Center.
No additional air monitors were required for the Metcalf Energy Center by regulators, even though the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) does require some power plant projects to install air monitoring stations in neighboring communities. Why not? Because the Metcalf plant is a prime example of a clean energy center built with the best available, modern emission control technology. Fuel-efficient plants like this turn almost all of the fuel they use into electricity, resulting in very few residual emissions, which are measured right at the exhaust stack on a continual basis. Other tests are made several times per year and verified by third party experts. All reports are provided to local and state regulators. As reported at our quarterly community meetings, Metcalf has been operating safely, producing even less than the permitted stack emissions since it came online this spring.
Air monitoring stations that measure “ambient” or local air, operated by BAAQMD, already exist throughout the air basin; one exists in San Martin.
Metcalf was asked to pay for and install two extra air monitoring stations as part of an agreement with the City of San Jose, simply to provide neighbors with added assurances that Metcalf would not impact ambient air quality. In that agreement, the City of San Jose is responsible for securing two small parcels of land, one to the north and one to the south of the plant. A northern neighborhood site was identified by the City, temporary equipment has been installed, and data is being collected and posted. We believe that a southern site will be identified and ready for equipment installation very soon.
Earlier articles may have left the reader with the impression that Calpine did not participate in the full regulatory process. Nothing could be further from the truth. The power plant emissions as well as the air in South County are currently being actively monitored, as required by all regulatory agencies.
I would urge anyone with further questions about this to contact our information line at 408-361-4940 or go to www.metcalfenergycenter.com.
Lisa Poelle, , Calpine Director of Community Affairs
