Simple-Cycle Turbine Power Plant Licensing - Burbank Water & Power, CA

Client: Burbank Water and Power

Location: California

Summary: Burbank Water and Power (BWP) produced sufficient power during non-peak periods. In the face of California's statewide energy shortages of 2001-2002, however, BWP was unable to meet the extra demand for service. In response to this need, BWP planned to build a new generating facility and hired Cardno ENTRIX to prepare the permit package. BWP proposed to construct an electric generating facility that would produce up to an additional 47 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough power for 5,000 residences or 2,500 residences during peak period demands. Peak period demands typically fall between noon and 6PM, during the hottest summer days when air conditioning units are operating throughout the city.

Cardno ENTRIX prepared the air quality permit package for a simple-cycle turbine, and conducted the associated environmental assessment. Cardno ENTRIX engineers prepared permit applications, conducted the BACT analysis and designed and certified the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) to verify Best Available Control Technology (BACT) compliance and report emissions.

The Cardno ENTRIX project management team worked with FERC staff to develop a pragmatic approach to implementing the newly instituted pre-filing process. This resulted in shortening FERCs application review process by seven months.

Cardno ENTRIX worked with regulatory agencies to permit a state-of-the-art gas turbine selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission control system that achieved all BACT criteria for oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and reactive organic compounds (ROC), and all Clean Air Act criteria while meeting an aggressive permitting schedule. The client was able to meet permitting requirements, construction, and operation of the facility within 12 months.