Powerplant Squeezes Caltrans’ Pavement Plans

by The Editors on February 19, 2009

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The City of Carlsbadistan is now getting anti-power plant support from the California Department of Transportation according to a letter sent to the California Energy Commission on February 5, 2009.

As stated in the letter, Caltrans’ flexibility to construct the I-5 North Coast Corridor widening project is severely limited by surrounding land uses. The impetus is on NRG West, the power plant company, to demonstrate how the area can accommodate both a widened freeway and a new power plant. The letter also states that the I-5 widening project will remove existing landscaping and berm, creating significant visual impacts should both projects go forward.

We can’t help but laugh to ourselves at the ecological irony in the letter. This is probably the first time in our lives that we’ve wanted to make sure there was enough room to add more lanes to an already monstrous freeway. It’s almost like the pavers are the good guys if they keep another power plant out of Carlsbadistan.

Follow the jump for the entire release from the City.
In a letter submitted to the California Energy Commission (CEC) Feb. 5, the California Department of Transportation expressed concerns about the compatibility of the proposed power plant with a widened Interstate 5. Caltrans’ comments confirm the City of Carlsbad’s position.

As stated in the letter, Caltrans’ flexibility to construct the I-5 North Coast Corridor widening project is severely limited by surrounding land uses. The impetus is on NRG West, the power plant company, to demonstrate how the area can accommodate both a widened freeway and a new power plant. The letter also states that the I-5 widening project will remove existing landscaping and berm, creating significant visual impacts should both projects go forward.

Caltrans’ letter follows objections raised by the city regarding safety and health hazards created by the proposed power plant. The city has requested that NRG incorporate the I-5 widening into its plans, but the company has failed to do so. In January, the California Energy Commission directed NRG to revise its plans to show the planned freeway widening. One CEC staff member noted that the proposed power plant would be closer to a freeway than any other plant in the state.

The I-5 widening project has been a vital component of regional transportation plans for nearly 15 years. It is one of only eight transportation projects selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a high priority for streamlined review.

The Carlsbad Energy Center Project is a proposed 540-watt power plant. The project would be located at the 95-acre site of the existing Encina Power Station, which has been operating on California’s coastline for more than 50 years. Plans for the new power plant do not include tearing down the old power plant. If approved, two power plants will operate at the coastal location for the foreseeable future.

NRG submitted an Application for Certification to the CEC 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 later this year.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Regis Weber February 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Widening my foot! They probably just want to add another diamond lane. Diamond lanes don’t work. They’re often slower because you can’t pass the ‘weakest link’ driver, and they are inhabited by people who wouldn’t drive separately anyway. Bottom line…if I have to pay for it, I should be able to use it. At least the power plant will serve everyone.

Carl Crawl March 11, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Those snakes look hungry!

To_be_a_consumer_or_a_citizen March 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm

If you have time, check into the studies (govt & private) about the effect that widening highways has: actually makes traffic worse (especially during rush hour) because more people flood into the area, especially to work sales routes, etc.
I thought wider highways were the answer until seeing the statistics on the immediate aftermath. Build them and they will come. Or we can speak up and engage our politicians to draw the line at how much of our county actually will be paved over, for all purposes. If I wanted to live in freakin’ LA, I’d move to LA.

boxster March 13, 2009 at 7:18 pm

The expected traffic, noise and pollution from the widening of the freeway and the construction of a new power plant is almost too much to bear. We are new Carlsbad residents and had no idea that these 2 construction projects are “in development”. Will we have construction crews on the freeway for the 5 widening and trucks lined up to exit Cannon for the new power plant at the same time? Where will Carlsbad citizens get off the 5 to go to their homes? Do we really need to build a new power plant on the coast of Carlsbad that will last another 50 years? Citizens should be outraged. To get involved in the power plant issue visit http://www.powerofvisioncarlsbad.com/
Darcy Box

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