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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 1
State agency backs power plant by Samie Hartley Staff Writer The Oakley Generating Station is another step closer to gaining approval now that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved PG&E’s purchase and sale agreement with the Contra Costa Generating Station LLC for the proposed Oakley power plant. Last July, the CPUC denied PG&E’s application to purchase the proposed natural gas fired combined cycle facility, citing no need to create new projects during the recession and advising PG&E to continue working on its newest power plants in Tracy and San Jose instead. The CPUC reported that the Oakley Generating Station, which is proposed to be built on a 22-acre parcel on the old DuPont property on Bridgehead Road, would be a more viable option by 2018 at the earliest, but after an outpouring of community support, the commission had second thoughts.
After reconsidering the community benefits as well as the energy efficiency of the proposed state-of-the-art plant, which will supply 624 megawatts of power to 600,000 households, the CPUC decided on Dec. 16 that the Oakley Generating Station is a practical option that is needed now. “This is a win-win for all,” wrote Commissioner John Bohn in a press release. “It approves the construction of a modern, highly efficient power plant, provides clean and adequate power for the future and increases PG&E’s
ability to secure financing for this project that might not have been available beyond 2010.” CPUC President Michael Peevey said with the construction of the Oakley station, outdated plants would be able to retire and make way for the new technology utilized in Oakley. Mayor Jim Frazier said he’s pleased that the CPUC ultimately recognized the need for the project, which will not only benefit Oakley but the entire economy of East County. Aside from the energy benefits, the project is anticipated to generate hundreds of
construction jobs during the estimated 33-month construction schedule. While the Oakley City Council has urged that a portion of the workers be local hires, other workers will be coming to Oakley from out of town, boosting the economy by shopping, dining and lodging in the area. Once the station is complete, it will be staffed by approximately 20 employees. The California Energy Commission (CEC), which oversees the project’s viability study, is the only government agency with the authority to give the project the green light. Raymond Ehrlich, representing Contra Costa Generating Station LLC and Radback Energy, the company that proposed the project, said things are on schedule with the CEC study. Should the CEC approve the project, groundbreaking could take place this summer and the plant could be fully op-
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January 7, 2011
This Week Goodwill soldiering
A Bethel Island man is collecting Beanie babies destined for distribution to Afghani kids by U.S. troops. Page 4A
Revved for Relay Preparations for Oakley’s Relay for Life event in April are getting limbered up. Page 12A
Tickled by the pickle
see Agency page 22A
Vasco accident claims Brentwood man by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Marco Ortiz, a Brentwood resident and Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy, was killed Dec. 30 when his minivan overturned on Vasco Road.
Services were pending Tuesday for Marco Ortiz of Brentwood, an Alameda County Sheriff deputy killed when his car overturned on Vasco Road Dec. 30. Ortiz, 33, died when his vehicle rolled over near Los Vaqueros Road at about 1:15 a.m. “This is a real tragedy and has hit the agency hard,” said Sgt. James Nelson of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. “He was a wonderful employee, a wonderful deputy sheriff and an even better person. Being who he was and how beloved he was, this is a very difficult time for everyone.” According to reports, the 10-year veteran who worked at the patrol station in San Leandro was returning
Photo courtesy of Legacy.com
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A casting call has been issued for a production of “The Secret Garden.”
home to Brentwood at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic on the roadway was shut down in the northbound direction for three hours while the scene was cleared. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. “All we know right now is that he hit an embankment and that caused the car to flip,” said Nelson. “We don’t know if he was ill, if he fell asleep – we just don’t know. The car is being examined to see if there was a malfunction, but as to the cause of the accident, that’s something we may never know.” Ortiz is the first fatality on Vasco Road in four years, but the 16th death since 2000. Construction on the hazardous stretch of road is currently underway to improve the 1.5-mile section in see Vasco page 22A
Chow champ
go to news/press releases Calpine recently made a deposit in a regional food bank to the tune of $10,000.
A new sport is attracting throngs of enthusiasts, and seniors are championing the cause. Page 1B
Plus: Business .............................14A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................. 11B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Milestones ........................18A Opinion ..............................16A Sports ................................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Viral vocals
go to multimedia/videos A homeless man’s dulcet tones have enchanted 4.5 million YouTube viewers.