Blog: CPUC, AES: Evidence Redondo Plant Not Critical

CPUC decision shows Redondo plant not required

On Feb. 13, 2013, the California Public Utility Commission issued a decision on the new long term power contracts to be issued to meet the needs in 2021.  This decision is based on the need to replace power generation set to be retired due to new environmental regulation restricting the use of ocean water cooling. 

“For the defined portion of the LA basin local area, at least 1000 MW, but no more than 1200 MW of this capacity must be procured from conventional gas-fired resources…. The long-term LCRs [Local Capacity Requirements] are expected to result from the retirement of thousands of MW from current once-through cooling generators due to compliance with State Water Quality Control Board regulations.”

This is yet further evidence that we can permanently retire the Redondo power plant without impact to grid reliability. 

AES has announced its plans to rebuild its Huntington Beach and Alamitos plants at their full capacity.  Alamitos is current about 1,900 MW of generation capacity.  AES applied to rebuild their Huntington Plant at about 900MW of capacity.  Combined, these two plants would be able to produce 2,800 MW of power—more than double what the CPUC has authorized—without any capacity from Redondo. 

AES' own submission shows Redondo plant is not needed

Even more revealing is the AES submission during the decision making process.  AES argues that more replacement capacity is needed.  But in their own argument, they demonstrate that their Redondo plant is not needed.  According to the decision:

“AES calculates a need for approximately 2300 MW at certain OTC locations in the LA Basin local area. Therefore, AES finds the ISO recommendation for approximately 2400 MW at effective locations to be consistent with its own analysis.”

Even under AES' calculation of a higher need, if AES rebuilds Huntington and Alamitos, there would still be 400-500MW of excess capacity between these two plants without a single Megawatt required from their Redondo plant.

But also notice that word “effective.” If you examine the CAISO reports you will see that in all cases, the Alamitos and Huntington plants are more “effective” because of their location and connectivity to the grid. This is the proverbial nail in the coffin. There is excess capacity without Redondo from plants that are more effective at meeting grid reliability needs. 

Measure A is the only way

This building evidence is why we are confident, that if Measure A passes, the CEC will deny AES’ application. Measure A forces the CEC to do a power needs assessment if the CEC wants to override Measure A’s zoning. The building evidence shows that it is unlikely the CEC will be able to justify the need from this site. Under Measure A, it is extremely unlikely that the CEC would go against the will of the voters and find evidence to demonstrate power from Redondo is critical.

Our opponents claim that intervening might stop the CEC from approving the new plant. We have talked to cities successful and unsuccessful at stopping new power plants in their communities. None of them advocating intervening alone to stop a new power plant. At best we could hope for some increased mitigations. If you oppose a new power plant on the AES site, Measure A is our only chance to stop it.   

Vote “Yes on Measure A.”