The Willow Pass Generating Station (WPGS) consists of two 275 megawatt “combined cycle” units, which means they can capture “waste” heat for use in a steam turbine generator, increasing energy efficiency. These units also have “quick start” capability, so they can power up and be ready to produce electricity within a short period of time — another important feature in energy efficiency and environmental leadership.

The WPGS will be sited adjacent to the existing Pittsburg Power Plant in the City of Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, Calif. This type of brownfield development makes use of existing infrastructure such as natural gas lines and electric transmission lines, enabling the state to preserve greenfield sites for other non-utility development.

In addition to utilizing Best Available Control Technology — an EPA standard for emissions control — the project will incorporate LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an international standard for “green” construction.

Other key design aspects of the WPGS include:

• Use of dry cooling technology which eliminates the large water supply required by wet-cooled power plants;
• Incorporation of ultra-low nitrogen oxides (NOx) combustors, coupled with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to control NOx emissions to the lowest possible level; and
• Redevelopment of existing industrial site to remove four retired electric generating units — each with a 211’ tall stack and one oil storage tank — while efficiently preserving other non-industrial sites for other uses.

Besides meeting the increasing demand for electricity in the surrounding communities, the WPGS will also:

• Contribute as much as $6.6 million in property taxes to the local area;
• Create almost 400 union construction jobs (at peak); and
• Add 20 union operations jobs after construction is complete.