Is PG&E lying about Hunters Point plant?
PACIFIC GAS AND Electric Co. has made a move suggesting it
has no intention of shutting down the Hunters Point power plant.
In legal filings submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission,
the company has asked for $15.3 million to retrofit the aging plant,
long considered the largest stationary source of air pollution in San
Francisco.
But since 1998, PG&E has been promising the community it would close
the plant. So either company officials are trying to bilk ratepayers
for $15 million – or they have a secret plan to keep the plant
open.
"This would be a violation of every promise made to the mayor
and the community, [if PG&E plans] to go forward and retrofit and operate
the plant beyond 2005," Ed Smeloff, the city's top energy official,
told us.
A PG&E representative told us he did not believe the filings with the
CPUC indicate company officials are backing away from their pledge to
close the plant. (Savannah Blackwell)
