Public workshop held for proposed new energy plant

  • 2014-08-29
On August 7, The California Energy Commission conducted a public workshop in order to receive input and provide information on a power plant proposed by NRG Energy. As Carlsbad is where the proposed plant will be located, residents from here were on hand to proffer support or opposition.

The proposed plant would take the place of the existing Encina Power Station and features six gas-fired turbines. It would be a maximum of 60 feet high, whereas the Encina Power Station it would replace has a smokestack that goes up 400 feet above ground.

Originally, NRG’s plan was to construct the new plant without a commitment to tear down the current plant or sell any of the energy locally. Carlsbad city officials opposed this, feeling that if the plant were to be built here, the city should get some type of benefit from it.

After the closing of the San Onofre nuclear power plant due to structural issues, the increased need for local power energized negotiations between NRG and the city. Now all that remains is for the California Energy Commission to approve amendments to NRG’s original proposals.

Energy companies work hard on their public image, and often partner with brochure printers to expound on their commitment to the environment, or to show how the public can cut their energy costs.