FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 1999
CONTACT: David Christy
916/353-4436 christy@wapa.gov
FOLSOM - Western Area Power Administration released today the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Sutter Power Project, a proposed 500-megawatt generation facility that would be built approximately seven miles south of Yuba City, Calif.
Calpine Corporation, the project proponent, asked Western to study the feasibility of an interconnection with Western's 230-kilovolt transmission line that runs about six miles from the project site.
The National Environmental Policy Act requires Western to identify a Preferred Alternative in either the Draft or Final EIS unless prevented from doing so by another law. The Preferred Alternative concludes the Sutter Powerplant would not have a significant impact on the human environment provided that Calpine follows the Conditions of Certification imposed by the California Energy Commission and detailed in the Commission's Presiding Member's Proposed Decision. Western identifies as the Preferred Alternative the proposed project, with dry-cooling for the plant and a transmission line route south along South Township Road to O'Banion Road, with an alternative switchyard site at the end of O'Banion Road.
A Federal Register Notice will be published April 23 announcing the start of a 30-day public comment period on the Final EIS, with a Record of Decision to follow the comment period.
Copies of the Final EIS will be mailed to those on Western's Interested Parties mailing list. Additional copies can be requested from:
Loreen McMahon
Environmental Project Manager
Sierra Nevada Region
Western Area Power Administration
114 Parkshore Drive
Folsom, CA 95630-4710
phone: 916/353-4460
e-mail: mcmahon@wapa.gov
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