GILROY
– Touting it as a
”
first-of-its-kind
”
move within the energy sector, Calpine announced late last week
plans to only invest in low carbon power generation when purchasing
or constructing power plants that operate 24 hours a day.
GILROY – Touting it as a “first-of-its-kind” move within the energy sector, Calpine announced late last week plans to only invest in low carbon power generation when purchasing or constructing power plants that operate 24 hours a day.
The decision means all future Calpine plants will emit about 850 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour. The average fossil fuel plant in the United States releases roughly 1,900 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, the company said.
However, the 16-year-old power plant off Highway 152 in Gilroy will remain as is.
“The Gilroy plant is better off than many power plants in the Bay Area,” Calpine spokeswoman Katherine Potter said. “There are others that are like Korean War vintage.”
Potter did not have exact carbon dioxide emission figures for the Gilroy facility, which produces power 24 hours a day. However, Calpine’s existing plants produce carbon emissions at an average of 900 pounds per megawatt-hour, well under the national average.
Currently, power plants account for more than 40 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions, making carbon dioxide the single largest greenhouse gas. Many scientists believe the accumulation of fossil fuels like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the root cause of global warming.
“We’re hoping our decision will be a catalyst for others in the power industry,” Potter said.
Environmental groups are praising Calpine’s decision. They say other power generation companies should follow suit.
“The example set … by Calpine is one I hope companies across California, and the nation, will follow,” said Terry Tamminen, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “Calpine understands their role is not simply to harness the power of our planet’s natural resources, but to protect them as well.”
Singing Calpine’s praises is nothing new. The company has an excellent reputation in Gilroy, where it has some of its offices.
Calpine has won a Chamber of Commerce “Large Business of the Year” award and is recognized as a top-notch charitable giver. Yearly, the company donates $50,000 to local nonprofit agencies.
Eric Leins covers city politics for The Dispatch. He can be reached at (408) 842-6400 Ext. 275 or by e-mail at er***@************ch.com.
