Santa Maria Sun / Biz Brief

Lompoc celebrates Energy Center

BY JEREMY THOMAS

On July 12, Lompoc celebrated the groundbreaking of the Northern California Power Agency’s Lodi Energy Center, a state-of-the-art natural gas facility.

 Using “fast start” gas turbine technology, the Lodi plant touts itself as the lowest carbon emitting combustion facility in the United States, allowing Lompoc to provide low-cost electricity produced with fewer greenhouse gas omissions.

Lompoc has committed more than $18 million toward the center’s construction and more than $30 million toward long-term natural gas contracts. The city will get about two percent of the electric power produced there, accounting for about a third of the city’s power needs.

The plant will start producing electricity in 2012. Its development and operation will be managed by the agency. Members sharing in the project include the cities of Biggs, Gridley, Healdsburg, Lodi, Santa Clara, and Ukiah. Other entities involved include the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and the Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative.

For more information, visit energy.ca.gov.