AQMD Will Let SE LB Haynes Generating Station (LADWP) Burn Diesel Fuel Instead of Natural Gas This Summer If Needed To Make Up For Natural Gas Lost In SoCalGas SFV Storage Site Leak

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Attn: SE LB, ELB And Beyond: AQMD Will Let SE LB Haynes Generating Station (LADWP) Burn Diesel Fuel Instead of Natural Gas This Summer If Needed To Make Up For Natural Gas Lost In SoCalGas SFV Storage Site Leak

AQMD says it will only happen if SoCalGas curtails its natural gas supply to LADWP...which two state agencies + ISO + LADWP separately have said is likely

AQMD justifies burning diesel fuel at SE LB facility contending it will avoid worse pollution from multiple small diesel units and potential blackouts to L.A. residents and businesses

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(June 16, 2016) -- The AQMD will let the Haynes Generating Station In SE LB (serving LADWP) burn diesel fuel instead of natural gas over the summer if needed to make up for natural gas lost in SoCalGas' Alison Canyon (SFV) storage site leak. The facility is on the east bank of the San Gabriel River near Westminster Blvd. and just east of Studebaker Rd.

AQMD says this will only happen if SoCalGas curtails its natural gas supply to LADWP...while noting that two state agencies + ISO + LADWP have said that such a curtailment is likely.

AQMD justifies burning diesel fuel at SE LB facility contending it will avoid worse pollution from multiple small diesel units and potential blackouts to L.A. residents and businesses

[Scroll down for further.]

In a release today (June 16), AQMD says its Independent Hearing Board -- a five member body of non-elected individuals separate from AQMD's governing board -- voted 3-1 (one vacancy) to grant the variance on June 15 (further below.) In the release, AQMD states:

[AQMD release text] The variance, which begins today [June 16] and continues through Sept. 13, allows LADWP to burn diesel fuel to recommission and test the units and subsequently to operate them on diesel fuel, only if the natural gas supply to LADWP is curtailed by SoCalGas.
"In the event of any potential blackouts this summer, the operation of LADWP's units on diesel fuel will ensure a continuous supply of electricity to protect the health and safety of Los Angeles residents and businesses," said Wayne Nastri, SCAQMD’s acting executive officer. "It will also result in less air pollution than would otherwise occur from the use of thousands of significantly dirtier diesel backup generators at many hospitals, police stations and businesses."
Unlike power plants, diesel backup generators at businesses and institutions typically have few, if any, air pollution controls.
...Some of the key conditions and mitigations require LADWP to:
By July 15, submit to SCAQMD a comprehensive plan to mitigate excess emissions created by the operation of generating stations with diesel fuel;
Pay $1,500,000, and in addition $100,000 for each day diesel fuel is used as a result of gas curtailment, for a maximum of $2,900,000 in environmental fees for installation of air filters and purchase of electric buses for schools near the generating stations;
By June 20, issue a press release and by July 15, conduct separate public meetings in each of the communities around the Harbor, Haynes and Valley Generating facilities to listen to and address community concerns; and
Depending on the size of generating unit, not operate them on diesel fuel for more than a total of 11 to 30 hours per unit for recommissioning and testing, except during a gas curtailment day.

The variance applies to 12 generating units at three of LADWP's four power plants that are capable of running on either natural gas or diesel fuel. Collectively, those three plants are presently allowed to burn diesel fuel only during natural disasters and are capable of generating 1,500 megawatts, enough to power nearly 2.2 million homes...
...In April, two state agencies (California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission) along with the California Independent System Operator and LADWP issued a report stating that the depletion of the natural gas supply at Aliso Canyon, in conjunction with the moratorium imposed earlier this year on further injection of natural gas into the facility, would likely result in curtailment of natural gas to LADWP's power plants. That in turn could lead to rolling blackouts of up to 14 days this summer, the report said...

The Independent Hearing Board's monthly agendized actions lists the following for June 15: (verbatim text)...but it's not immediately clear if this refers to the variance hearing:

10:30 a.m. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power - #1263-75......................Short: Rules 203, 401, 475, 2004 & 3002 2:00 p.m.

SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties plus Orange County.

In an early evening (after business hours) email, LBREPORT.com invited comments/responses on the development from the City's Public Information Officer and the Mayor's Chief of Staff as well as whether city management. We also asked if city management or the Mayor's office was informed that this item was coming up, and if so what position the City of Long Beach took on the matter and whether management or the Mayor informed Councilmembers of this issue.

Developing. LBREPORT.com will update our story as we learn further.