Here's the news release:

Proposed decision recommends license for power plant proposed in Lodi

SACRAMENTO -- A California Energy Commission siting committee is recommending the approval of the planned Lodi Energy Center power plant project in northern San Joaquin County.

In its presiding member’s proposed decision (PMPD) released today, the committee said the 255-megawatt facility as mitigated, will have no significant impacts on the environment and complies with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards (LORS).

The proposed decision was based solely on the record of facts and established during the facility’s certification proceeding.

The PMPD is NOT a final decision on the project. The committee released the document for 30 days of public comment. The committee will consider input before bringing the proposed decision to the full Commission. The entire document can be found on the Commission’s website.

The PMPD determined that the detailed environmental impact assessment required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was adequate. It represents the Energy Commission staff’s thorough and independent assessment of the project’s potential impacts on the environment, public health, and safety.

The natural gas powered project is being proposed on a 4.4 acre site adjacent to the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility. If licensed by the Energy Commission, construction of the power facility from site preparation to commercial operation is expected to take approximately 24 months.

Anyone wanting to offer public comment can e-mail Ken Celli at kcelli@energy.state.ca.us. Or you can snail mail a letter to:

California Energy Commission

Ken Celli

Hearing officer

1516 9th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814