A PG&E Corp. subsidiary broke ground last week on itsmassive La Paloma gas-fired power plant. The 1,048 MW generatingfacility will burn about 150 MMcf/d of gas and will be connected tothe Kern-Mojave Pipeline about 40 miles west of Bakersfield. Itwill be the largest merchant power plant in the state and isexpected to begin operations in summer 2001.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a further step in the execution ofour strategy to build a strong electric generating capability inkey competitive energy markets, including Southern California andthe Southwest,” said Thomas G. Boren, CEO of PG&E Corp.’sNational Energy Group. “La Paloma and the additional plants we aredeveloping in this region will provide much-needed sources ofclean, cost-competitive energy, and create a solid foundation forour National Energy Group to serve the growing wholesale markets inthis region.” Boren said the company is working to develop newfacilities near San Diego and Phoenix, together representing anadditional 1,500 MW of capacity scheduled to come on line in 2002and 2003.

The La Paloma plant’s four highly efficient, gas-fueledcombined-cycle turbines are designed to minimize environmentalimpacts. The plant design utilizes the best emission controltechnology available, including selective catalytic reduction forNOx control, making La Paloma Generating one of the cleanestfossil-fueled generating stations ever built. In addition, as partof its environmental mitigation program for the facility, PG&ECorp. has permanently set aside 270 acres of land for conservation.

Rocco Canonica

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