Hot Air.

A whole new kind of air emissions problem is now plaguing energy companies seeking to build new generating capacity. Two power plants slated for Northern California may be heading for a crash landing because of their potential impact on air traffic in the area.

Tierra Energy is trying to build a 115 MW plant near Hayward, CA and Calpine has plans for a 600 MW plant in Russell City. But this week, the CEC sent them letters advising them that heat plumes emitted from the facilities have the potential to cause air turbulence that pose a serious hazard to airplanes taking off and landing at local airports.

According to a report in the Tri-Valley Herald:

"Paul Richins, a manager in the state commission's siting division, wrote that hot, mostly invisible plumes can disturb the stability of the atmosphere above plants, especially in the winter.

"Plumes are thermally buoyant during colder weather and more likely to maintain their vertical velocity at higher altitudes under calm, cool conditions," Richins wrote. "

Both plants would feed the PG&E grid. Officials at Tiera have pledged to work with the FAA to find a solution.


Concerns about plumes could block plans for power plants [Tri-Valley Herald]