Magnolia Power Project gains steam

Laura Sturza

SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT -- The Magnolia Power Project got a big

boost from the California Energy Commission when the state-run agency

released a positive review of the project’s application.

The proposal, evaluated last week in a report, involves the

construction of a $200 million, 250-megawatt power plant at the Burbank

generating station complex at 164 W. Magnolia Blvd. It is designed to

meet the growing need for electricity in Burbank, as well as other cities

under contract.

“The project’s economics promise to make this one of our lowest cost

sources of power for Burbank,” said Fred Fletcher, assistant general

manager of the Burbank Water and Power Department.

It could be the first application to move through the state’s permit

process in six months, rather than the normal 12.

Fletcher attributes the swift movement to the city’s plans to build

the plant on a site that already has natural gas, water and power lines

in place.

It also helps to build the plant in a community that understands the

reliability that a local plant provides, Fletcher said. In the last three

years, 16 other communities tried unsuccessfully to institute similar

projects.

In its 438-page document released Thursday, the commission gave no

reasons it would not approve the project.

Final approval is expected March 25 after commission staff receives

more information on air quality compliance.

If approved and constructed, the plant would supply electricity to

homes in Burbank, Anaheim, Colton, Glendale, Pasadena, Cerritos and San

Marcos. Groundbreaking is scheduled to start this summer and be completed

by early 2005.

An all-day public workshop about the state’s report is set for next

week.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Magnolia Power Plant Workshop

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23

WHERE: Burbank Central Library Auditorium, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

MORE INFO: Call Roberta Mendonca at (916) 654-4489.