Hayward Residents Speak Out Against Proposed Power Plants

June 6 - KGO (KGO) -- Many of those who live in Hayward are voicing their objections tonight to not one, but two proposed power plants in their city. The California Energy Commission held a hearing this evening.

Most of the residents who have testified are opposed to the building of two power plants so close to each other.

Laurie Price, Hayward Resident: "I see these projects as having great costs for Hayward in property values, air quality and reputation. I oppose them both."

They're about a mile apart, just north of Highway 92 off the San Mateo Bridge. If approved, the Russell City Energy Center will be built on Enterprise Avenue.

The 15 acre natural gas-powered plant is the larger of the two. It can produce 600 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply hundreds of thousands of homes.

The other plant is the Eastshore Energy Center, a proposed 115 megawatt plant.

Mike Toth, Hayward Resident: "This plant, which is one sixth the size of Russell City, is going to put out more pollution."

Michael Sweeney, Hayward Mayor: "It's a couple of blocks from single family homes, condominiums, apartments. It's just not the right spot for this power plant."

They could be up and running within three years, feeding electricity up and down the East Bay and beyond, if the California Energy Commission gives them the go-ahead.

David Marks, Tierra Energy: "it would be good for the economy, for growth, for new companies coming in here and it's very much needed."

Though cleaner than many older plants, the new ones will still emit carbon monoxide and smog-causing nitrogen oxides.

Many residents worry they'll be subjected to a higher concentration of pollutants since the two plants are located so close together.

Michael Sweeney, Hayward Mayor: "We're talking about, I believe, over 900 tons a year of pollutants. That's just not fair to impose on one community."

The California Energy Commission says it has received roughly 1,500 letters and emails from residents of Hayward who oppose the power plants, much of that opposition centering on the smaller Eastshore Energy Center.

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