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C.10

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Keith Freitas, Airports Director
Date:	December 15, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair to sign a letter to the California Energy Commission.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/15/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

Continued to Undetermined Date.

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Keith Freitas, (925) 646-5722

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 15, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, to sign a letter to the California Energy Commission (CEC) regarding the proposed construction of a power plant in Alameda County approximately 2.66 miles southeast of the Byron Airport. The letter requests that specific scientific studies be completed to ensure that the proposed location of this power plant would not pose any hazards to aeronautical activities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There are no expected financial impacts from this action.

BACKGROUND:

Diamond Energy Company has proposed, through the CEC, building a power plant approximately 2.66 miles southeast of the Byron Airport. The power plant would be located in Alameda County. Airport staff has identified some areas of concern regarding other power plants that have been constructed near airports. Local pilots and pilot associations have also expressed similar concerns. The focus of these concerns relate to possible disruption of flight caused by the power plant exhaust plumes. Additionally, there are other areas of concern that should be evaluated, i.e. would the power plants operation be a bird attractant.

This letter to the CEC requests that scientific analysis be conducted for each of these areas of concern before a final decision is made by the CEC. It appears that the CEC has sole authority in determining whether or not to approve the construction of the proposed power plant. This letter expresses the County’s goals of protecting both the future utility of the Byron Airport and the safety of the aeronautical users in the area.

On November 2, 2009, the Airport Committee reviewed and supported the attached letter and requested that it be sent to the full Board for approval. During their October and November meetings, the Aviation Advisory Committee reviewed this issue and also supported the attached letter. Finally, the Contra Costa County Airport Land Use Commission has prepared their own letter to the CEC on the matter, which outlines similar concerns.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The County will not provide input into the CEC process that details the County’s concerns and additional studies warranted to address those concur (related to the possible construction of a power plant near the Byron Airport), which ultimately may impact the Airport’s utility and or the safety of aeronautical operations in the area.