19 November 2008 -- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. broke ground on its 660 MW Colusa Generating Station 75 miles northwest of Sacramento. The new facility is expected to begin operation in 2010.
Dry-cooling technology will allow the plant to use 97 percent less water than plants with conventional water-cooling systems. Cleaner-burning turbines will also allow the facility to use less fuel and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide than older plants. Moreover, the plant is designed to lower its power output when renewable resources like wind and solar become available.
Stories of interest:
Pacific Gas and Electric approved for 660 MW natural gas-fired plant