AES proposes to put two facilities on the current site: a modernized "Energy Center" would replace the firm's current gas-fired electricity generators with new model gas fired-electricity generators. The company would also build an entirely new "Battery Energy Storage System" (that AES calls the biggest in the world) to store and flexibly release electricity as needed. AES says the two new facilities will be more physically attractive (company graphic renderings below) and provide more electrical power capacity with greater flexibility to meet demand.

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, a non-profit that has worked for years to preserve and restore the adjacent wetlands, has voiced concerns. "On the surface the proposal sounds like progress. And the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust was supportive of the proposal before we did our own research and found flaws with the idea. We are now advocating a down-sized facility that will meet all the desirable parts of the project, and avoid the undesirable parts," says Exec. Director Elizabeth Lambe...who notes that the group intends to participate in the CA Energy Commission's Nov. 15 proceedings in Long Beach.

LBREPORT.com plans to carry the CA Energy Commission's webcast of its committee proceedings in Long Beach, which will take place at The Grand event center, 4101 E. Willow St., starting at noon on Tuesday Nov. 15.

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AES' webpage page for its proposed LB project at this link states in pertinent part:

[AES text] Since the late 1950s, a natural gas power plant has operated in Long Beach, providing a reliable source of electricity to local residents and the region for more than half a century.

Changes to California environmental law require power plants to significantly reduce the use of ocean water for cooling. And the state's aggressive goals for using renewable sources of energy in the coming years are also creating a greater demand for more low-cost natural gas electricity to fill the gaps created when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.

AES Alamitos has the opportunity to ensure a cleaner, more reliable energy future by replacing our existing plant with a modernized natural gas facility that is more efficient and responsive to California's electricity needs.

The Alamitos Energy Center (AEC) will be a natural gas-fired, combined cycle, air-cooled power plant with the capacity to power millions of homes and businesses.

AEC can serve both peak and intermediate loads, and can provide system stability by delivering reactive power, voltage support, frequency stability and rotating mass in the heart of the critical Western Los Angeles' local reliability area. It will also have much lower stacks and far superior "curb-appeal" than the existing plant.

In addition, we're building the Alamitos Energy Storage System -- a second project on the same site -- with 300-megawatts of flexible, zero-emission energy storage that can provide 600-megawatts interconnected resources. This new storage source -- the largest in the world -- will provide unmatched operational flexibility, enabling the most efficient use of renewable energy resources, lowering costs and emissions, and providing increased reliability to the electrical grid.

These projects will not only provide Long Beach with a sustainable and economically viable future, but also help California meet its aggressive green energy goals by helping integrate more renewable power.

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The company also has a webpage for its proposed Long Beach project at www.renewaesalamitos.com. It includes graphics the graphics comparing its current and proposed facility.

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In a recent mass emailing, Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Executive Director Elizabeth Lambe states in pertinent part:

[Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust text] [T]he Land Trust is dedicated to protecting and restoring Los Cerritos Wetlands. But we also recognize the need to modernize electric generation for both economic reasons and to transition to renewable energy for the future.

One reason the local wetlands are so degraded, like all coastal wetlands in Southern California, is the decisions made long ago to fill much of the historic wetlands for projects like the existing power plant. Those decisions were made before scientists knew how critical these wetlands areas are to wildlife populations, flood control, pollution abatement and many more "ecosystem services" to our community. And the operation of noisy power plants--emitting pollutants into the air that fall on our communities and the wetlands, has been a constant source of degradation. Further, these power plants were built on the coast because they used seawater to cool their old, inefficient generators, sucking in and killing marine life so critical to a functioning wetland ecosystem. But now we know better.

Now we know not to build these facilities in wetlands, But the daunting challenge is how to restore as much of what we lost as possible while still maintaining reliable electric supply. We feel very strongly that this is a crucial moment for this generation to reverse some of the errors made in the past. This community will live with this decision long after most of us are gone. It's a decision for our children and their children.

"The Land Trust feels very strongly that the CEC must limit the size of this facility to no more than what the PUC found was needed. And we are still strongly advocating for an even better project than the one the PUC approved. But for the CEC to approve a larger facility than what the PUC found was needed for electrical reliability is bad policy and not acceptable to us," Ms. Lambe writes, adding "This is a critical decision for the wetlands and energy reliability. What happens now will affect the future of our environment and the quality of life in Long Beach for our children and grandchildren. It is our duty to ask the tough questions and advocate for the very best."

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Two state agencies are involved in the decision on whether to allow the new facility. The CA Energy Commission, a five member body comprised of appointees chosen by Governor Brown (details here), decides whether the new facility is safe and minimizes environmental impacts. Two of the CA Energy Commission members are expected to participate in the Nov. 15 Long Beach evidentiary hearing. At some point, the committee will provide a recommendation to the full Commission, which will eventually vote on whether to license the new facility.

Another state agency, the CA Public Utilities Commission, has approved a 640 megawatt gas fired generator to replace the current generators on site. (The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust is challenging the PUC's approval action, contending there are better alternatives.) However AES is seeking CEC approval for a 1,040 megawatt gas fired generator in LB, basically 66% larger than what the PUC approved. The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust wants the CEC to alternatives to the project that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

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The City of Long Beach has in recent years taken public positions and actions supportive of restoring the wetlands, but to date LB City Hall hasn't taken a position (to our knowledge) or submitted materials, pro or con as visible in the CA Energy Commission docket regarding AES' proposed new facility.

LBREPORT.com plans to carry the CA Energy Commission's webcast of the CA Energy Commission's committee hearing in Long Beach. It's a public meeting, and scheduled for The Grand event center, 4101 E. Willow St., starting at noon on Tuesday Nov. 15.

The CA Energy Commission indicates it will provide a website link to its webcast as well as a telephone link to the proceedings. We've haven't used either of the agency's systems before so we can't vouch for their reliability. However we'll at minimum provide a link to them on our front page.

In an interesting option for public participation, the CA Energy Commission allows the public to be heard via its telephone link. We're told that one can push a touch-tone button when directed and get in a queue and be heard.

Developing. Further to follow on LBREPORT.com