by The Editors on May 24, 2016
Employees from NRG’s Encina Power Plant took a break from delivering energy to customers, and instead contributed energy to the Carlsbad community through volunteer projects for the company’s annual Global Giving Day.
Crews were sent to two local nonprofits – the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad and La Posada de Guadalupe. At the Boys & Girls Club’s Village Clubhouse, NRG employees spruced up the landscaping, cleaned the gym floor, and washed the Club vans.
“It was absolutely wonderful having those smiling faces helping to make our Clubhouse a better place,” said Club Director Andy Purviance. “As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of volunteers to take care of the ‘extra’ touches, and we are thankful to the NRG volunteers who gave their time.”
For the rest of the story, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on January 28, 2010
On February 1-4, 2010 the citizens of Carlsbadistan will have the chance to speak out regarding NRG West’s plans for a 550-mega watt power plant on the shores of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. According to Power of Vision Carlsbad, here are a few of the reasons why a new power plant just might be a bad idea:
• Huge carbon footprint
• 10 times increase in air pollution
• 40 more years harnessed with fossil fuel-burning technology
• Economics hardship for tourism industry
• Major safety concerns cited with I-5 expansion
• Industrialization of coastal lands
• Long Beach or La Jolla? You decide
• Noise impact as loud as jet engines
• Will make Carlsbad industrial epicenter
• No contract with SDG&E
• Two power plants • Decreases property values
The hearings will be held in the Hilton Garden Inn Ballroom Building at 6450 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbadistan:
Monday, February 1, 2010; 10:30am, Public comment period begins at 6:00pm
Tuesday, February 2, 2010; 9:00am, Public comment period begins at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, February 3, 2010; 9:00am, Public comment period at 6:00p.m. if necessary
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 9:00a.m.
Might as well show up and let them know how you feel about it.
[Link: Power of Vision]
by The Editors on October 21, 2009
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
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by The Editors on October 17, 2009
This Tuesday, October 20, 2009 the Carlsbadistan City Council will be considering the passage of a moratorium on coastal power plants to prevent NRG from putting in its proposed second power plant on the Encina Power Station property, according to a release sent out by the City of Carlsbad.
If passed, this action would prohibit 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 under consideration would establish an emergency ordinance on the building or expanding of power plants on Carlsbad’s coast, meaning it would go into effect immediately and could last for up to two years.
Anything that slows the industrialization of the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon is fine by us, but why stop at the power plant? Why not throw in a little rider prohibiting a desalination plant as well? No harm in that really.
Follow the jump for the entire release.
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by The Editors on April 16, 2009
Opponents of NRG Energy‘s plans for a second power plant near the shores of Carlsbadistan’s Aqua Hedionda Lagoon gathered at Cannon Park today (April 16, 2009) in the shadow of the Encina Power Station to speak to the media.
News 10, News 8, and writers and photographers from the local papers were present along with approximately 40 citizens to hear people including Carlsbad Councilman Matt Hall, former Councilwoman Julie Nygaard, and Kerry Siekmann (among others) speak out against the new plant.
Siekmann spoke to the fact that SDG&E does not need the power this new plant will produce. In fact, she said, SDG&E hasn’t even contracted with the plant to buy power. Where will it go? Maybe Los Angeles, she said.
“This power can be sold everywhere,” Siekmann said. “But where will the pollution go? Here. So we get 854,000 tons of carbon emissions. We get all the particulate pollution that the American Lung association links to death from respiratory and cardio-vascular causes, increased number of heart attacks, hospitalization for asthma among children, inflammation of lung tissue in young healthy adults just to name a few. We get all the ozone pollution too that the American Lung association says may lead to serious health concerns including premature death, chest pain, inflamation of the lining of the lungs. This is not just about our neighborhood. It’s not just about Carlsbad. It’s about the whole air basin here in San Diego. This is not the right plant, it’s the wrong plant.”
Former City Councilwoman Julie Nygaard agreed. “We should not sit back idly and watch our way of life be diminished,” she said. “In all my years of public service I have never seen a proposal that stands to do as much damage as this one does to our community.”
For more information on the plant and the people who oppose it click the link. Or click here for Barbara Henry’s story in the North County Times.
[Link: Power of Vision Carlsbad]
by Richard J. Riehl on December 19, 2008
If a new power plant moves in next door to the surfside smokestack and towering concrete walls of Carlsbad’s Encina Power Station, the city’s prime coastal property will become the poster child for both poor planning and fossil fuel addiction.
Mayor Bud Lewis and his City Council are trying to persuade the California Energy Commission to require the new plant’s site to be moved away from the coast. They want the property to be redeveloped to increase beach and lagoon access. The power plant’s owner, NRG West, says other locations are not feasible because of adverse environmental impacts and technical problems that would diminish the plant’s electrical transmission capacity.
The California Energy Commission will settle the argument with a final decision planned for March.
All three players in this drama appear to agree on two major points: our growing regional population needs a new, fossil-fueled power plant, and the old one cannot be shut down for another seven to 15 years.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. . .
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by The Editors on October 20, 2008
Photos that the City of Carlsbad has posted on their website to show what NRG Energy’s proposed new power plants would look like have apparently upset the company, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
We don’t think it’s an accurate characterization of the project,” said Tim Hemig, NRG’s project manager for the Carlsbad Energy Center.
Too bad. We don’t like our icon smoke stack getting competition from smaller, inferior stacks. And we really don’t like turning the lagoon into an industrial wasteland.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on September 19, 2007
NRG Engergy, the company that owns Carlsbad’s tallest structure (and our favorite building in Carlsbadistan) has asked state officials if it can turn up the power output knob on the Encina Powerplant to increase it by 200 megawatts by summer 2010.
Three older units — each of about 100 megawatts capacity and built as long ago as 1954 — will be retired and replaced by newer, more efficient gas-fired units, NRG said. . . Two other existing units, built in the mid-1970s, will remain in operation at the plant.
The company says the units will be 30 percent more efficient and be “well below California’s newly imposed greenhouse gas standard,” NRG will also rename the plant the Carlsbad Energy Center. Locals say Encina. . .
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on May 19, 2014
Pictured (L to R): Winning Foursome members Steve Farnsworth, Scott Buoy, Club CEO Brad Holland, Aleco Prevalos, and Rob Gough.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad scored big at their 62nd Annual Golf Tournament held April 24, 2014 at the Aviara Golf Club.
“The success of this tournament is a result of astounding contributions from so many individuals and companies throughout North County,” said Randy Ferren of California Bank & Trust, Steering Committee Chair. “While the day presented so many winners, we are pleased that the kids are the ultimate winners – and benefit from this generosity.”
For the official word from the Boys & Girls Club, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 26, 2013
Pictured: Steering Chair Randy Ferren, winning foursome members Mike Pottorff, Jonas Jackson, Club CEO Brad Holland, and winner David Flores (winner Scott McCary not shown).
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad raised over $135,000 during their annual golf tournament held April 18, 2013 at Aviara Golf Club.
“The success of this tournament is a result of astounding contributions from so many individuals and companies throughout San Diego County,” said Randy Ferren of California Bank & Trust, Steering Committee Chair. “While the day presented so many winners, we are pleased that the kids are the ultimate winners – and benefit from this generosity.”
For the official word from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, follow the jump.
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