I want to deliver one simple message today: in San José, we will protect our neighborhoods.

The Coyote Valley--and the Santa Teresa neighborhood--is not an appropriate location for a 600-megawatt power plant.

The California Energy Commission staff issued a report on the power plant in May.

In that report, CEC staff pointed out that this power plant will have several significant environmental impacts on our soil, our water supply, the area’s natural habitat and noise in our neighborhoods.

Also, the power plant is not consistent with San José’s current and long-range land use planning. We have a specific plan for the Coyote Valley, and we’re going to stick to it.

I understand that energy is important to local residents and local industry. But this plant does not guarantee that San José residents or businesses will directly benefit with more energy.

In fact, all of the energy produced at the Metcalf Energy Center will be shipped to the Western Grid—a regional energy distribution system that distributes energy to all of the Western United States.

We need a better solution to our energy problems.

While we are not guaranteed energy, we are guaranteed that San José neighborhoods will shoulder all of the negative impacts of this power plant. This is unacceptable.

We gave Calpine a chance to make its case. We listened. But we’re not convinced.

After reviewing the CEC staff report, after listening to our residents, it’s clear that this is no place for a power plant.

The CEC staff recommended other sites for the power plant that would have less of an impact on our neighborhoods and the environment. Calpine should listen to their recommendation.

Calpine is a good company and a good corporate citizen in San José. But on this project, we have to agree to disagree.

I urge Calpine to find another home for their plant, because there is no home for their plant next to our neighborhoods.

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