SAN FRANCISCOCity’s Biggest Hospital to Build $1-Billion...

SAN FRANCISCO

City’s Biggest Hospital to Build $1-Billion Facility

The city’s largest hospital is proceeding with plans to build a $1-billion medical center on a site now occupied by a hotel.

California Pacific Medical Center’s Cathedral Hill facility would become the hospital’s main medical branch.

“Essentially we’re looking at a citywide network,” said Jim McCaughey, vice president of planning and redevelopment.

A $210-million medical office building is also scheduled to be built across the street.

State law requires hospitals to meet strict seismic safety requirements by 2013.

California Pacific chose to comply with the standards by building the new center.

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SAN LUIS OBISPO

Study to Consider Future of Diablo Canyon Plant

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is spending $19 million on a four-year study to determine the cost-effectiveness of operating the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant beyond 2023.

The licenses for the two reactors expire in 2023 and 2025. A decision on whether to apply for relicensing of the coastal plant will be made after the feasibility study, which will begin in 2007, is completed in 2011.

“We would not make a decision before then,” PG&E; spokeswoman Sharon Gavin said Monday.

The study will detail the cost of replacing or repairing the plant’s equipment to keep it running for 20 more years, Gavin said.