San José, CA -- 6/12/00: San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Council member Charlotte Powers announced their opposition to the proposed Metcalf Energy Center that Calpine Corporation has planned in South San Jose.

Calpine Corporation’s proposed Metcalf Energy Center would be a 600-megawatt power generation facility located on a14-acre parcel at the base of Tulare Hill, off Monterey Road in South San Jose near the Santa Teresa neighborhood.

"Coyote Valley and the Santa Teresa neighborhood are not an appropriate location for Calpine’s proposed 600-megawatt power plant," said Mayor Gonzales. "Protecting San Jose neighborhoods continues to be one of my highest priorities, and the impacts of this large project at this location would harm the quality of life for San Jose residents."

The proposed project is located in the district represented by Council member Powers who also announce her opposition today. "After extensive review, analysis and research for over a year, and by holding numerous public meetings in collaboration with the California Energy Commissions and the District 2 Metcalf Energy Center Advisory Committee, I have come to the conclusion that the proposed Calpine Metcalf Energy Center if truly inconsistent with the City of San Jose's General Plan and the North Coyote Valley Area Master Development Plan. Furthermore, my conclusion is in concurrence with the CEC preliminary staff assessment."

The California Energy Commission released a Preliminary Staff Assessment last month that identified serious environmental concerns. CEC staff noted that proposed project would have several significant negative impacts on environmental quality, including soil, water supply, noise, and natural habitat and the wildlife that it supports.

Gonzales also said the proposed power plant is not consistent with San José’s current and long-range land use planning for Coyote Valley.

"The CEC staff recommended other sites for the power plant that would have less of an impact on our neighborhoods and the environment," said the Mayor. "I urge Calpine to find another home for this project, because it doesn’t belong next the homes in our neighborhoods."

Gonzales noted that the energy that would be generated by the proposed plant would be added to the western United States’ overall supply, rather than dedicated to the needs San Jose or Silicon Valley.

"Although adequate energy supplies are important to our region and our state, we need to be sure that the people living in San José neighborhoods do not carry the burden of the negative environmental consequences that would come with this proposed power plant. I believe we can address our energy needs."

The CEC is scheduled to make its decision on Calpine’s Metcalf project later this year, following the San Jose City Council’s review of land use issues associated with the site. The CEC will hold a series of public meetings in San Jose starting tomorrow.

For additional information, regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed Metcalf Energy Center, contact California Energy Commission’s website at:

 http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/metcalf/documents/2000-05-15_METCALF_PSA.PDF

©2000 Mayor's Office CSJ. Last Modified: 11/08/2001