Carlsbad Council Clips NRG’s Power Plant Wings

The Carlsbad City Council last night put its foot down on NRG by passing a moratorium on coastal power plants, according to a City press release.

This action prohibits a second power plant proposed by NRG, requiring the state to overrule the city if the plant is to be approved. . . . The resolution establishes an emergency ordinance on the building or expanding of power plants on Carlsbad’s coast, meaning it goes into effect immediately and could last for up to two years. . . Also under the resolution, no development application will be accepted, processed or approved that would expand the size, location, generating capacity or use of the Encina Power Station for the duration of the moratorium.

This may be one of the few times we say this to the City Council, but way to go. Seriously. For more details, follow the jump
City of Carlsbad passes coastal power plant moratorium

CARLSBAD, Calif. – The Carlsbad City Council passed a moratorium Tuesday on coastal power plants and authorized city staff to study changing what could be built at the site of the Encina Power Station, on Carlsbad Boulevard just north of Cannon Road. This action prohibits a second power plant proposed by NRG, requiring the state to overrule the city if the plant is to be approved.

Also under the resolution, no development application will be accepted, processed or approved that would expand the size, location, generating capacity or use of the Encina Power Station for the duration of the moratorium.

The resolution establishes an emergency ordinance on the building or expanding of power plants on Carlsbad’s coast, meaning it goes into effect immediately and could last for up to two years.

The city is currently updating its General Plan, a document that serves as a blueprint for how land is used in Carlsbad. The city plans to use the time established under the moratorium to evaluate where power plants should be located and the future use of the land currently occupied by the Encina Power Station. These decisions will be incorporated into the updated General Plan.

NRG’s proposal for a second power plant does not include tearing down the old power plant. If approved by the state, two power plants will operate at the coastal location for the foreseeable future. Unlike older power plants that use ocean water for cooling, new power plants are air cooled and do not need to be built on the coast.

NRG submitted an Application for Certification to the California Energy Commission for the power plant in September 2007. The CEC—not the City of Carlsbad—has the authority to approve the project. A decision is expected next year.