Regulators OK Power Plant Expansion

The California Energy Commission approved a $500-million expansion of the Moss Landing electricity plant on the edge of Monterey Bay. The expansion, which was opposed by environmentalists, would add 1,060 megawatts to Moss Landing’s 1,500-megawatt capacity. When completed in 2003, the Duke Energy-owned plant will generate enough power to light 2.6 million homes. The commission also voted to begin the licensing process for the first of the “fast-track” power plants authorized by recent legislation to ease the state’s electricity shortage. The 51-megawatt United Golden Gate peaker plant is proposed to be built by El Paso Merchant Energy at San Francisco International Airport in time for next summer.