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Key Dates

• 3/13/2006 - Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) filed
• 3/13/2006 - Commission accepts SPPE as "data adequate."
• 6/23/2006 - Commission staff releases Preliminary Staff Analysis.
• 8/31/2006 - Commission staff releases Final Staff Analysis.
• 9/20/2006 - Committee releases Small Power Plant Exemption Decision.
• 10/11/2006 - Commission approves Small Power Plant Exemption.
• 5/29/2008 - Power plant on line and producing power.

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General Description of Project

On March 13, 2006, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) filed an application for a Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE). The IID is seeking an exemption from the California Energy Commission's licensing requirements. If an exemption is granted, the applicant would need to secure the appropriate licenses and permits for the project from various local, state and federal agencies.

The IID proposes to build and operate a nominal 93 megawatt (MW) simple-cycle power plant on a 22-acre site northeast of Niland, California. This proposed facility is referred to as the Niland Gas Turbine Plant (NGTP). The IID would own and operate the facility. The proposed site is owned by the IID and is adjacent to the IID's existing Niland Substation. The project would supply the internal power generation needs of the IID service territory during periods of peak electrical demand.

The plant would consist of two General Electric LM6000 PD SPRINT NxGen combustion turbine generators (CTG) equipped with inlet air chiller coils, zero liquid discharge (ZLD) wastewater treatment system, water storage and treatment systems, gas compressor equipment, and electrical transmission and interconnection system and associated auxiliary systems and equipment.

The project will interconnect directly to the 92-kilovolt (kV) bus at the adjacent Niland Substation. A new intermediate generation switchyard will be constructed to gather the output from the project and provide a common point of interconnection to the Niland Substation.

Small Power Plant Exemption Evaluation Process

The SPPE process allows projects between 50 and 100 MW to proceed with local approval rather than requiring an Energy Commission license. This exemption from the Energy Commission licensing process can be applied to projects that would not create a substantial adverse impact on the environment or energy resources. The Energy Commission acts as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will prepare an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration that examines public health and safety, along with environmental impacts of the proposed project, including all related facilities such as electric transmission lines, natural gas and water pipelines. If the exemption is granted, the applicant would still need to secure the appropriate licenses and permits from relevant local, state, and federal agencies.

For Questions about this Exemption Proceeding Contact:

Mary Dyas
Compliance Project Manager
Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection (STEP) Division
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-2000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-628-5418
E-mail: Mary.Dyas@energy.ca.gov

For Questions About Public Participation In Exemption Proceedings Contact:

Public Advisor
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: PublicAdvisor@energy.ca.gov

News Media Please Contact:

Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov