Power
 At
its May 24, 2001 meeting (click here for meeting
minutes), the Authority board adopted an energy strategy that seeks to work
in coordination with local energy efforts, develop economical supplies, and
monitor ongoing developments in the energy market. That involvement was authorized
in September 2000 by Senate Bill 552 which granted the Water Authority substantial
new authority to enter the electric and natural gas wholesale markets. SB 552
modified the County Water Authority Act to allow hydroelectric power generated
by the Authority's water delivery system to be sold to any retail electric provider.
The bill also authorized the Authority to purchase federal power; to construct,
own and operate electric power generation facilities to service its or its member
agencies' needs; and to purchase and transport natural gas.
The board will consider the level of the Authority's involvement in the energy
business in the coming months as a possible way to both increase overall water
reliability in San Diego County, and ensure a reliable power supply to member
agencies.
At the July 26, 2001 board meeting, the Authority authorized up to $100,000
to enter into an agreement to participate in the development of a Regional Energy
Infrastructure Study in support of a Regional Energy Plan. (Also involved in
this plan are the the San Diego Regional
Energy Office, City of San Diego,
the County of San Diego, SANDAG,
and tentatively the Port of
San Diego.)
The Authority additionally approved $16,618,142 for a 4.5-5 MW hydroelectric
facility to be constructed in the Rancho Peñasquitos area as an addition
to the Rancho Peñasquitos Pressure Control Facility CIP project. An additional
decision to build a 50 MW gas turbine generator was delayed for further study.
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