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MINUTES
of the
POWER PLANT TASK FORCE
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, Room 408
San Francisco, CA
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Philip DeAndrade called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
Present:
Joe Boss
Richard Millet
Philip DeAndrade
Steven Moss
Al Collins
Absent: Karen Pierce
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair DeAndrade deferred approval of the Minutes of the Sept. 25, 2008 to the next meeting pending revisions.
3. POTRERO POWER PLANT UPDATE
a. City Attorney's Office, Deputy City Attorney Theresa Mueller reporting: Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in November, 2008 restating its position supporting removal of the water permit for Unit 3 as soon as possible. City Attorney and Supervisors Maxwell and Peskin wrote a letter to Water Board transmitting the resolution and urging it to follow through on the requirement of the permit: that the permit expire if Mirant could not show that its once-through cooling system was not harming the bay. The Water Board proceeding on the Unit 3 permit is being held in abeyance pending the State Board adoption a once-through cooling policy.
In December, Supervisor Maxwell introduced an ordinance that: repeats requests for an additional study for solutions for closing Potrero: it also asks for an update to the Electricity Resource Plan; it sets forth some City policy goals related to sustainable energy. City Attorney's Office is looking at every possible legal option for expediting the closure of the plant.
b. Report from Mirant re Potrero Units 4, 5 and 6
Sam Lauter, BMWL, consultant to Mirant, appeared on its behalf: Mirant remains committed to closing the Potrero Plant when the CAISO removes RMR status (reliability) from the Potrero facility.
c. SFPUC, Mike Martin reporting: last action of PUC was to rescind approval of the CT project, and the Board of Supervisors has not acted on legislation to move forward with that project. Department is awaiting official direction.
d. Public comment: Tony Kelly, president of Potrero Boosters: questioned why Water Board is continuing to allow Mirant to use once-through cooling system since the permit to do so is expired.
4. REPORT FROM PUC RE ELECTRICITY RESOURCE PLAN
Barbara Hale, Assistant General Manager for Power, PUC reporting: underlying goals of 2002 Resource Plan: maximize energy efficiency; develop renewable power; assure reliable power; support affordable electric bills; improve air quality and prevent other environmental impacts; support environmental justice; promote opportunities for economic development; and increase local control over energy resources.
PUC has developed a two-stage plan to update the Plan: first stage will be to address the infrastructure need to meet reliability. Question is: are there enough resources to maintain reliability in San Francisco without in-city stand-alone fossil generation? How does that change in the event that the transbay cable comes online?
PUC will perform technical analysis collaboratively with PG&E and CAISO. Need to have an agreement by April 30, 2009. If City's information needs outstrip collaboration needs, City may have to move ahead independently.
Second stage is fuller plan to update Electricity Resource Plan. Presently working on Scope of Effort with Rocky Mountain Institute, consultants City relied on for first Electricity Resource Plan. City and Institute under contract and are discussing details of scope of work. Objective is to provide an update that is an actionable plan to achieve the City's goals with assigned responsibilities. BOS wants update completed in six months. PUC believes time frame is aggressive but will try to have Plan complete by then.
a. Public comment: Tony Kelly, Potrero Boosters: concerned about delays in projects: would like answer re new rules to require in-city generation; Joshua Arce, ED, Brightline Defense Project: commented re plans to close Potrero Plant.
Mr. Moss asked what TF role will be in the PUC analysis process. Ms. Hale expressed a willingness to include the TF in any way it would like re formation and communication: wants to include TF in workshops as well.
Mr. Moss suggested the TF establish a technical subcommittee and formally ask PUC to be included in the technical discussions. Chair DeAndrade appointed Mr. Moss and Mr. Boss to that committee.
5. REPORT TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON TASK FORCE POSITIONS
Mr. Boss recommended that the TF ask Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors committee to hold a hearing regarding issues pertaining to Potrero Power Plant.
Chair DeAndrade: will send a letter informing the Board of the history of the Task Force, what actions it has taken and the importance of closing Potrero 3, 4, 5 and 6; and that the Task Force has devoted nine years to having that accomplished. Included in the letter will be a request that the Board hold a hearing on the question of the Water Board permit on Unit 3.
a. Public comment: Tony Kelly asked a question re local capacity requirements.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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